Big Ideas Math: Modeling Real Life, Grade 8
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4. Zero and Negative Exponents
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Exercise 28 Page 342

What does the definition of a negative exponent say?

4/x^6

Practice makes perfect

To simplify the given exponential expression, we will use two Properties of Exponents. The first one is the Quotient of Powers Property.

Quotient of Powers Property

To divide powers with the same base, subtract their exponents.

We will also use the definition of a negative exponent.

Negative Exponents

a^(- n)=1/a^n, for every nonzero number a

Let's evaluate the given expression using these properties.
8x^3/2x^9
4x^3/x^9
4* x^3/x^9
4x^(3 - 9)
4x^(- 6)
4* 1/x^6
4/x^6