Hi guys, I am not using you as a homework help. My mom put me in a computer class and this question is really confusing, please tell me how to do it.

How do you change powers with negative exponents to powers with positive exponents?

Question

Hi guys, I am not using you as a homework help.  My mom put me in a computer class and this question is really confusing, please tell me how to do it.

How do you change powers with negative exponents to powers with positive exponents?

anonymous · Answer

can u give an example with negative exponets?

anonymous · Answer

3^-2

anonymous · Answer

a^(-n) = 1/a^n for a and n non zero

anonymous · Answer

@xxferrocixx  is right...

anonymous · Answer

@xxferrocixx  how?

anonymous · Answer

I am confused, how is this related to my question?

anonymous · Answer

are you guys still here? sorry I went away, my internet crashed.

anonymous · Answer

because that is the law for negative exponent. 

so 3^-2 = 1/(3^2) = 1/9

anonymous · Answer

Ok, I kind of get it now, I am still confused on why you do 1/(3^2) to make it positive

anonymous · Answer

hello?

anonymous · Answer

Ok, thank you for your help guys.  I have the basic concept now, will try to wing it.