Working with Negative Exponents
Date: 10/21/95 at 10:28:42 From: Anonymous Subject: Multiplying/dividing with exponents Is multiplying by 10 to the negative 3rd power the same as dividing by 10 to the positive 3rd power?
Date: 10/21/95 at 23:13:13 From: Doctor Andrew Subject: Re: Multiplying/dividing with exponents Yes it is, because in general, if x = yz then a^x = (a^y)^z = (a^z)^y So, 10^(-3) = (10^3)^(-1). That is the reciprocol of 10^3, and multiplying by the reciprocol of 10^3 is the same as dividing by 10^3. -Doctor Andrew, The Geometry Forum
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