Arithmetic Reasoning Operations on Exponents Flash Card Set 38931

Card 3 of 10
Negative Exponent

A negative exponent indicates the number of times that the base is divided by itself. To convert a negative exponent to a positive exponent, calculate the positive exponent then take the reciprocal: \(b^{-e} = { 1 \over b^e }\). For example, \(3^{-2} = {1 \over 3^2} = {1 \over 9}\)

reciprocal

To convert a negative exponent to a positive exponent, calculate the positive exponent then take the __________.