08-12-2007, 03:24 PM
hahaha sorry! =D
let's see if i can translate it better by typing steps:
original problem: 3 to the -2 power aka "3^-2"
1) due to the negative power, you flip the 3 upside down so it becomes 1/3
2) then you apply the exponent to it: 1/3 to the 2nd power
3) 1/3 to the 2nd power is bascially the same thing as 1/3 times 1/3
4) which equals to positive 1/9
does that explanation help? sorry, i wish i could write it out for you on paper b/c i'm sure it'd make more sense than on the computer =]
let's see if i can translate it better by typing steps:
original problem: 3 to the -2 power aka "3^-2"
1) due to the negative power, you flip the 3 upside down so it becomes 1/3
2) then you apply the exponent to it: 1/3 to the 2nd power
3) 1/3 to the 2nd power is bascially the same thing as 1/3 times 1/3
4) which equals to positive 1/9
does that explanation help? sorry, i wish i could write it out for you on paper b/c i'm sure it'd make more sense than on the computer =]
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