document.write( "Question 789349: How do I simplify fractions when the denominator has a negative exponent?
\n" ); document.write( "For example : 3/6^-1 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #478818 by KMST(5328) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The definition of power with a negative exponent is the inverse of the power with the opposite exponent:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"a%5E%28-b%29=1%2Fa%5Eb\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"6%5E%28-1%29=1%2F6%5E1=1%2F6\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"3%2F6%5E%28-1%29=3%2F%28%281%2F6%29%29=3%2A%286%2F1%29=3%2A6%2F1=3%2A6=18\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Basically, if you do not want to have a power with a negative exponent, you just move the power to the other side of the fraction bar and drop the minus sign, as in
\n" ); document.write( " $\"3%5E%28-7%29x%5E2%2F4%5E%28-6%29%2Fy%5E%28-5%29=4%5E6x%5E2y%5E5%2F3%5E7\"$ \n" ); document.write( "

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