Examples with solutions for Negative Exponents: Using variables

Exercise #1

a4=? a^{-4}=\text{?}

(a0) (a\ne0)

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We begin by using the negative exponent rule.

bn=1bn b^{-n}=\frac{1}{b^n} We apply it to the problem:

a4=1a4 a^{-4}=\frac{1}{a^4} Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

Answer

1a4 \frac{1}{a^4}

Exercise #2

xa=? x^{-a}=\text{?}

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We use the exponential property of a negative exponent:

bn=1bn b^{-n}=\frac{1}{b^n} We apply it to the problem:

xa=1xa x^{-a}=\frac{1}{x^a} Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Answer

1xa \frac{1}{x^a}

Exercise #3

1an=? \frac{1}{a^n}=\text{?}

a0 a\ne0

Video Solution

Answer

an a^{-n}

Exercise #4

82x=? 8^{-2x}=\text{?}

Video Solution

Answer

164x \frac{1}{64^x}