2 ^-4
Is that -2 x -2 x -2 x -2 or 2x2x2x2.
or something else.
Is that -2 x -2 x -2 x -2 or 2x2x2x2.
or something else.
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It is 1/(2^4).
A negative exponent means 1 over the same expression with a positive exponent.
It comes from the identity (a^n) / (a^m) = a^(n-m).
For example, a^5 / a^3 = a^2.
Likewise a^3 / a^5 = a^(-2) but it is obviously also 1/(a^2).
It is 1/(2^4).
A negative exponent means 1 over the same expression with a positive exponent.
It comes from the identity (a^n) / (a^m) = a^(n-m).
For example, a^5 / a^3 = a^2.
Likewise a^3 / a^5 = a^(-2) but it is obviously also 1/(a^2).