Simplifying Variables With Negative Exponents Lessons

To best understand this lesson, make sure that you have read and understand the following lesson:

• Simplifying Negative Exponents

Consider a problem like the one shown below.

Unless the actual value of x is known, this problem cannot be simplified to a number like in our previous lesson. But this problem can be simplified by getting rid of the negative exponent by following the same steps we did in the previous lesson.

First, write the number 1 then divide it by the problem but change the negative exponent to its opposite (The -4 becomes 4).

This problem can also be solved by showing the division using a fraction bar, as explained in the previous lesson.

Negative Exponents of Variables Resources

Practice Problems / Worksheet The worksheet for this lesson. Next Lesson: Negative Exponents in Fractions Simplify negative exponents in fractions by moving parts of a term to the other side of a fraction bar.