SOLUTION: simplify expression. write answer with a positive exponet only (-p)^-21

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Question 212895: simplify expression. write answer with a positive exponet only
(-p)^-21
Answer by rapaljer(4671) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You have to know that a negative exponent means that you have a FRACTION whose numerator is 1 as in this example:
x%5E-3+=+1%2Fx%5E3

Likewise, p%5E-21=1%2Fp%5E21

Now, if the quantity is negative, you have +%28-p%29%5E-21=1%2F%28-p%29%5E21

Finally, since this is a negative number raised to an odd power, the answer is negative.

So, %28-p%29%5E-21=-%281%2Fp%5E21%29

If you need an informal explanation of Laws of Exponents, together with examples, exercises and answers, please see my own website. Do a "Bing" search for my last name "Rapalje" and look for "Rapalje Homepage" near the top of the search list. Click on the link "Basic, Intermediate and College Algebra: One Step at a Time" near the top of my Homepage. Select "Basic Algebra", and look at the end of "Chapter 2" for the topic "Negative Exponents". Also, check out my "MATH IN LIVING COLOR" pages on this topic to see solutions to a lot of these problems, IN COLOR of course!

R^2

Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired
Seminole Community College
Altamonte Springs Campus
Florida