SOLUTION: The directions say "Write in simplest form WITHOUT negative or zero exponents" The problem is (3 times 5) to the negative first... you would think that this meant it would be -15.

Question 74151This question is from textbook Algebra and Trigonometry Structure and Method
: The directions say "Write in simplest form WITHOUT negative or zero exponents"
The problem is (3 times 5) to the negative first... you would think that this meant it would be -15... but I'm not allowed to have a negative answer... using this equation, a to the negative n = 1 over a to the n, it would give you the answer 1/15, but -15 and 1/15 are two totally different numbers... can you help me? This question is from textbook Algebra and Trigonometry Structure and Method

Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, funmath:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If you have a negative exponent, that means you invert the base. For instance so this problem can be simplified the same way
where x=15 and a=1
So the answer is
Hope this helps.
Answer by funmath(2933) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The rule is:

The negative in the exponent effects whether the base becomes a numerator or denominator. If it's a denominator and it has a negative exponent it becomes a numerator with a positive exponent. If it's a numerator with a negative exponent, it becomes a denominator with a positive exponent.
It also depends on how it is written:

But if it is written like this:

I hope that answers your question.
Happy Calculating!!!!
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