PRACTICE WITH $\,\displaystyle x^{-p} = \frac{1}{x^p}$

Recall that $\displaystyle\,x^{-1} = \frac 1x\,$. That is, $\displaystyle\,x^{-1}\,$ is the reciprocal of $\,x\,$.

It follows, using the exponent laws, that $\displaystyle x^{-p} = (x^p)^{-1} = \frac{1}{x^p}\,$.
That is, $\,x^{-p}\,$ is the reciprocal of $\,x^p\,$.

Continuing, it's convenient to notice that expressions of the form $\,x^m\,$
can be moved from numerator to denominator, or from denominator to numerator,
just by changing the sign of the exponent.
For example:

$\displaystyle \frac{1}{x^{-3}} = \frac{x^3}{1} = x^3\,$:   exponent was negative in denominator; is positive in numerator

$\displaystyle \frac{1}{x^{3}} = \frac{x^{-3}}{1} = x^{-3}\,$:   exponent was positive in denominator; is negative in numerator

$\displaystyle x^3 = \frac{x^3}{1} = \frac{1}{x^{-3}}\,$:   exponent was positive in numerator; is negative in denominator

$\displaystyle x^{-3} = \frac{x^{-3}}{1} = \frac{1}{x^3}\,$:   exponent was negative in numerator; is positive in denominator

All the exponent laws are stated below, for completeness.

EXPONENT LAWS
Let $\,x\,$, $\,y\,$, $\,m\,$, and $\,n\,$ be real numbers, with the following exceptions:
• a base and exponent cannot simultaneously be zero (since $\,0^0\,$ is undefined);
• division by zero is not allowed;
• for non-integer exponents (like $\,\frac12\,$ or $\,0.4\,$), assume that bases are positive.
Then,
 $x^mx^n = x^{m+n}$ Verbalize: same base, things multiplied, add the exponents $\displaystyle \frac{x^m}{x^n} = x^{m-n}$ Verbalize: same base, things divided, subtract the exponents $(x^m)^n = x^{mn}$ Verbalize: something to a power, to a power; multiply the exponents $(xy)^m = x^my^m$ Verbalize: product to a power; each factor gets raised to the power $\displaystyle \left(\frac{x}{y}\right)^m = \frac{x^m}{y^m}$ Verbalize: fraction to a power; both numerator and denominator get raised to the power
EXAMPLES:
$\displaystyle \frac{1}{x^3} = x^p\,$ where $\,p = \text{?}$
Answer: $p = -3$
$\displaystyle \frac{1}{x^{-2}} = x^p\,$ where $\,p = \text{?}$
Answer: $p = 2$
Master the ideas from this section
by practicing the exercise at the bottom of this page.

When you're done practicing, move on to:
One-Step Exponent Law Practice

Simplify:

 (an even number, please)