RECOGNIZING THE PATTERNS $\,x^n\,$ and $\,(-x)^n$
• PRACTICE (online exercises and printable worksheets)
• Some examples are given below.
For a complete discussion, read the text.
• You may want to explore these related concepts first:
Equal or Opposites?
EXAMPLES:

In the exercise, you will be filling in the blanks:

The expression $\,(-y)^{24}\,$ is of the form $\,(-x)^n\,$
where $\,x\,$ is and $\,n\,$ is .

Note that in the pattern $\,(-x)^n\,$,
the variable ‘$\,x\,$’ represents whatever comes after the minus sign,
and the variable ‘$\,n\,$’ represents the exponent.
The expression $\,(-3x)^{13}\,$ is of the form $\,(-x)^n\,$
where $\,x\,$ is and $\,n\,$ is .

Try not to be confused by the appearance of the variable ‘$\,x\,$’ in two places!
Again, we're matching something to the pattern $\,(-x)^n\,$,
where ‘$\,x\,$’ represents whatever comes after the minus sign.
What comes after the minus sign in $\,(-3x)^{13}\,$?
Answer: $\,3x\,$
The expression $\,(-2x)^{7}\,$ is of the form $\,x^n\,$
where $\,x\,$ is and $\,n\,$ is .

Here, we're matching something to the pattern $\,x^n\,$,
so ‘$\,x\,$’ represents the entire base.
Master the ideas from this section

When you're done practicing, move on to:
Writing Expressions in the form $\,kx^n$

 The expression is of the form where $\,x\,$ is and $\,n\,$ is