Question

4^x = 1/64

Please explain how you got the answer.

Answer 1

I forgot how to do these things. Help me.

Answer 2

You need a negative exponent...

The reciprocal of 2 is 1/2 which can also be written as 2^-1, two to the minus 1.

Answer 3

How did you get 2?

Answer 4

Sorry the two and the half are just an example of reciprocals and negative exponaents.

Answer 5

exponents*

Answer 6

But these are positive...?

Answer 7

You should know that 4*4 is 16, 16*4 is 64, which is also 4^3,

so if you want the reciprocal of 64 just include a negative to the exponent.

Answer 8

Oh duh... I feel stupid now. Positive exponents it says in my book that they are repetitive multiplication.

Answer 9

Plug in 4 ^ - 3 into your calculator (TI-84) and you will get 0.015625 which is 1/64

Answer 10

Oh, okay.

Answer 11

I hope I didn't confuse you with the example.

Answer 12

No, you didn't. Thanks so much.