9. Negative Exponent Property
For any nonzero number a and any integer n, 𝑎−𝑛
is the reciprocal of 𝑎 𝑛
. Also, the reciprocal of 𝑎−𝑛
is 𝑎 𝑛
.
𝑥−2 =
1
𝑥2
1
𝑥−2
= 𝑥2
Negative exponent means that base is on the wrong side of the fraction bar.
When you put the base on the correct side of the fraction bar the power
becomes positive because now it belongs.