Negatave Exponents???????

Question

How do you do this problem, please explain how:

3t ^ -2

^ = exponent

Answer 1

well, you can't do any problem because there is no equation.  All you can do is simplify.  A negative exponent means to flip the number and take away the negative exponent.  For example:

x^-1 = 1/x

2^-2 = 1/(2^2) = 1/4

3^-3 = 1/(3^3) = 1/27

1/(5^-2) = 5^2 = 25

Hopefully that helps, it is a little hard to show with text.  

For your problem, you have 3t^-2.  BE CAREFUL.  This is NOT the same as (3t)^-2.

3t-2 = 3(t^-2) = 3 / (t^2)

IF the problem had been (3t^-2), your answer would be

1 / (3t^2) = 1/(9t^2)

Answer 2

3t ^ -2 = 3/t²

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