SOLUTION: Hi, I just have a quick question about simplifying negative exponents. Does the coefficient of a variable stay with the number when factoring? i.e. Would 3m^-4 be simplified to 3/m

Algebra ->  Exponents-negative-and-fractional -> SOLUTION: Hi, I just have a quick question about simplifying negative exponents. Does the coefficient of a variable stay with the number when factoring? i.e. Would 3m^-4 be simplified to 3/m      Log On


   

Question 1144237: Hi, I just have a quick question about simplifying negative exponents. Does the coefficient of a variable stay with the number when factoring? i.e. Would 3m^-4 be simplified to 3/m^4, or would it be simplified to 1/3m^4? Thank you.
Found 3 solutions by ikleyn, MathTherapy, Alan3354:
Answer by ikleyn(52794) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

3m^(-4) = 3%2Fm%5E4.

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Alan, "quick question" assumes "quick answer", exactly as my answer was . . .



Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Hi, I just have a quick question about simplifying negative exponents. Does the coefficient of a variable stay with the number when factoring? i.e. Would 3m^-4 be simplified to 3/m^4, or would it be simplified to 1/3m^4? Thank you.
In this particular case, ONLY the "m" is being raised to the - 4th power. 

In other words, .

On the other hand if it were: %283m%29%5E%28-+4%29, then we'd have: matrix%281%2C3%2C+3%5E%28-+4%29%2C+%22%2A%22%2C+m%5E%28-+4%29%29. Understand?

Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
What is a "quick question?"
How is it different from a "slow question?"
Or just a question?