A negative exponent indicates the number of times that the base is divided by itself. To convert a negative exponent to a positive exponent, calculate the positive exponent then take the reciprocal: \(b^{-e} = { 1 \over b^e }\). For example, \(3^{-2} = {1 \over 3^2} = {1 \over 9}\)
Convert a-5 to remove the negative exponent.
| \( \frac{-5}{a} \) | |
| \( \frac{1}{a^{-5}} \) | |
| \( \frac{5}{a} \) | |
| \( \frac{1}{a^5} \) |