document.write( "Question 624434: Simplify. DO NOT USE negative exponents in the answer. (PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR STEPS AS YOU GO - I have become so confused over this)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " x^-4 * x^ -7\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "thank you for your help in advance! \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #392747 by vleith(2983) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
$\"x%5E%28-4%29+%2A+x%5E%28-7%29\"$ when multiplying powers of the same base, add exponents
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E%28-11%29\"$ to change the sign of an exponent, move it 'up or down' and change the sign. Here is the math behind that trick
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E%28-11%29\"$ =
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E%28-11%29+%2A+1+\"$ =
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E%28-11%29+%2A+%28%28x%5E11%29%2F%28x%5E11%29%29\"$ =
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28X%5E%28-11%29+%2A+X%5E11%29%2F+%28x%5E11%29\"$ =
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28x%5E0+%2F+x%5E11%29\"$ x^0 is defined as equating to 1
\n" ); document.write( " $\"1%2F%28x%5E11%29\"$ which is simply 'moving the negative power from the numerator down to the denominator and changing the sign. The same thing can be done to move a negative exponent in the denominator up to the numerator.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Get it?
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