## SephI Group Title How did I get this wrong? http://prntscr.com/sjlgj one year ago one year ago

1. SephI Group Title

Just curious. It marked it wrong but I'm sure I got it right. Look: x^2 ---- x^6 = 1 ---- x^-4 Now to make it positive we put it in the numerator x^4 ---- 1 Which is just equal to x^4

2. zepdrix Group Title

$\large \frac{x^2}{x^6} \qquad = \qquad x^{2-6} \qquad = \qquad x^{-4}$Do you see the mistake you made? You had the correct power, but when you divide, you should be left with your X in the numerator, not the bottom one.

3. SephI Group Title

I don't think so. $\frac{ x^2 }{ x^6 } \rightarrow \frac{ 1 }{ x^6 - x^2 } \rightarrow \frac{ 1 }{ x^-4 } \rightarrow \frac{ x^4 }{ 1 }\rightarrow x^4$ We subtract the denominator from the numerator.

4. geerky42 Group Title

$\large \dfrac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a - b} = \dfrac{1}{x^{b - a}}$

5. zepdrix Group Title

You could write it like this if you wanted.$\large \frac{x^2}{x^6} \qquad = \qquad \frac{1}{x^6x^{-2}} \qquad =\qquad \frac{1}{x^{6-2}} \qquad =\qquad \frac{1}{x^4} \qquad = \qquad x^{-4}$

6. geerky42 Group Title

Zepdrix is right, you know.

7. zepdrix Group Title

You have the right idea (although the notation is a bit sloppy). You just made a tiny mistake, when you subtracted 2 from 6, it should give you positive 4.

8. SephI Group Title

If that's true, it should be -4, $\frac{ 1 }{ x^4 }$ would be fine.

9. zepdrix Group Title

Yes that would be a fine answer! :)

10. geerky42 Group Title

Yeah. Most people hate negative exponents, so it's good enough.

11. SephI Group Title

But if... $\frac{ x^6 }{ x^5 } = 6 - 5$ Why would $\frac{ x^5 }{ x^6} = 6 - 5, too?$

12. geerky42 Group Title

No, look at my 'formula' above here.

13. zepdrix Group Title

$\large \frac{x^5}{x^6}=x^{5-6}$ Yah your numbers are a little backwards on the second example. :) You always subtract the BOTTOM number, it doesn't matter which number is smaller. Always subtract the power in the denominator.

14. geerky42 Group Title

15. zepdrix Group Title

lololol good ole morgan freeman XDDD