Question

Help with dividing exponents?

Answer 1

In this problem, so I subtract 2 - 10 or 10 - 2 ?

Answer 2

@Directrix @Destinymasha @dtan5457 @Godlovesme @HelpBlahBlahBlah @pooja195 @Somy @TheSmartOne

Answer 3

http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/variables-exponents-multiply.html

Answer 4

I'm still not sure which way to subtract for this one.

Answer 5

I learned that I'm supposed to subtract the denominator from the numerator, but when I tried doing the problem on the calculator on doyourmath.com, it did the other way around. Now I'm confused.

Answer 6

@paki @pooja195 @Directrix @Destinymasha @dtan5457

Answer 7

depends if you want positive or negative exponents

Answer 8

\[\frac{b^2}{5b^{10}}=\frac{1}{5b^{10-2}}=\frac{1}{5b^8}\] if you want positive ones

Answer 9

or \[\frac{b^{2-10}}{5}=\frac{b^{-8}}{5}\]if you want negative ones

Answer 10

So, whether it's negative or positive, it will still be equivalent?

Answer 11

@satellite73

Answer 12

@Directrix

Answer 13

http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/variables-exponents-multiply.html

Answer 14

@satellite73 @Directrix

Answer 15

@satellite73 showed this perfectly, either way, it's equal.
\[x^{-a}=\frac{ 1 }{ x^a }\]

Answer 16

Thanks