SOLUTION: do not use negative exponents: (y^3)^-5 I got: 1/y^15

Algebra ->  Exponents-negative-and-fractional -> SOLUTION: do not use negative exponents: (y^3)^-5 I got: 1/y^15      Log On


   

Question 346046: do not use negative exponents:
(y^3)^-5
I got: 1/y^15
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(y^3)^(-5) is the same as 1 / (y^3)^5 which equals 1 / y^15

Looks like you got it.

If you let y = 2, then y^3 = 125 and 125 ^ -5 = .0000305118 by the calculator, and 1/(y^15) = .000030518 also.

They're equivalent.

In general, a^(-b) is equal to 1/(a^b)

In your equation, y^3 was equal to a, and 5 was equal to b.