Algebra II : Exponents

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Negative Exponents

Simplify the expression: 

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A negative exponent is resolved by taking the reciprocal. For example 

start by making all the negative exponents positive ones:

   Note that the whole fraction on the left could have also been written as being divided by a^2 where the one is simply in the denominator, but it is necessary to understand that dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by one which occurs in the next step.

Use the multiplication rule of exponents and simplify the constant:

Example Question #11 : Negative Exponents

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, make all of the negative exponents positive. To do this, put it in the opposite location (if in the numerator, place in the denominator). This should look like: . Then, simplify each term. Remember, when multiplying and bases are the same, add exponents. Therefore, your final answer should be: .

Example Question #11 : Negative Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

Example Question #11 : Understanding Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

Example Question #15 : Negative Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

 Because the exponent is odd, that's why our fraction is negative. 

Example Question #16 : Negative Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

 

Example Question #17 : Negative Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

Example Question #18 : Negative Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

 The reason the answer is negative is because we focus on the exponent first and in this case the exponent is raised to a positive 

Example Question #19 : Negative Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

 It is important to keep the paranthesis as we are squaring  which makes our answer. 

Example Question #20 : Negative Exponents

Evaluate 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents, always turn it into this form:

  represents the base of the exponent, and  is the power in a positive value.

 Our answer is negative because we have an odd exponent.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors