The Negative Rule of Exponents
This video presents the same text shown beside it, spoken and on screen. It adds nothing the text does not say.
State
The negative rule of exponents states that a negative exponent means a reciprocal: a⁻ⁿ = 1/aⁿ for nonzero a.
Show
3⁻² equals 1/3², which is 1/9 — a small positive number, not a negative one.
Watch for
The sign moves the power across the fraction bar; it never changes the value's sign.
Builds on
- Nothing — this is a starting point.
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.