document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=74151>Question 74151</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0395585368/algebrahomeworkh>Algebra and Trigonometry Structure and Method</A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The directions say \"Write in simplest form WITHOUT negative or zero exponents\"<BR>\n" );
document.write( "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? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #53176 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=funmath><B>funmath(2933)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=funmath><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=53176\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The rule is:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=highlight%28a%5E%28-n%29=1%2Fa%5En%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"highlight%28a%5E%28-n%29=1%2Fa%5En%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "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.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "It also depends on how it is written:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%283%2A5%29%5E%28-1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%283%2A5%29%5E%28-1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%2815%29%5E%28-1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%2815%29%5E%28-1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=highlight%281%2F15%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"highlight%281%2F15%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "But if it is written like this:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%2A5%5E%28-1%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%2A5%5E%28-1%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=3%281%2F5%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"3%281%2F5%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=highlight%283%2F5%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"highlight%283%2F5%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "I hope that answers your question.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Happy Calculating!!!! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );