Lesson 2: Negative Exponents

Objective: Simplify expressions containing negative exponents.

A number raised to a negative exponent is the reciprocal of the same number raised to the opposite (positive) exponent. The video below shows the justification for this definition of a negative exponent, as well as several examples of how it is used in simplifying expressions. Watch this video now.

Certain special properties of negative exponents are useful when simplifying expressions containing fractions and negative exponents. The video below explains these properties and includes several examples of how they are used. Watch this video now.

A summary of the properties of negative exponents is shown below.

Complete the worksheet attachment below and then check your answers using the solutions attachment. Once you have completed these exercises, click the link to advance to the next lesson.