How do you simplify #2m^-2# and write it using only positive exponents?
1 Answer
Explanation:
The thing to remember about exponents is that they essentially switch signs every time you move terms from one side of the fraction bar to the other, i.e. from the numerator to the denominator, or vice versa.
Take, for example,
#2 = 2/1 = 2^1/1#
If you want to write
- move
#2# from the numerator of#2^1/1# to the denominator- switch the sign of its exponent
You would have
#2^1/1 = 1/2^color(red)(-1)#
Now try this for
#m^(-2) = 1/m^color(red)(2)#
And there you have it. Put it all together to find
#2 * m^(-2) = 2 * 1/m^(2)#
Do one more for good practice. How would you write
Move
#a^(-2)/3 = 1/3 * 1/a^color(red)(2) = 1/(3a^color(red)(2)#