How to Dealing With Exponents on Negative Bases ?

Exponents work just the same way on negative bases as they do on positive ones:
(-2)0 = 1 Any number (except 0) raised to the 0 power is 1.
(-2)1 = -2 Any number raised to the first power is that number.
(-2)2 = (-2)(-2) = 4
(-2)3 = (-2)(-2)(-2) = -8
(-2)4 = (-2)(-2)(-2)(-2) = 16

Do you notice any pattern here? All the even powers of -2 end up being positive. All the odd powers end up negative. That's a useful trick to know!

 

Posted Date: 5/3/2013 1:19:24 AM | Location : United States

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