9514 1404 393
Answer:
maybe
Step-by-step explanation:
It can be. It depends on the problem.
__
The rules of exponents are ...
(a^b)/(a^c) = a^(b-c)
a^-b = 1/a^b
Clearly, for division problems if the denominator exponent is larger, the difference 'b-c' will be negative.
__
You recall that an exponent is the way we show repeated multiplication.
x·x·x = x³
In division, like factors cancel, so ...
[tex]\dfrac{x\cdot x\cdot x}{x\cdot x}=\dfrac{x^3}{x^2}=\dfrac{x}{1}\cdot\dfrac{x\cdot x}{x\cdot x}=x^{3-2}=x^1=x[/tex]
Now, consider the same problem "upside down."
[tex]\dfrac{x\cdot x}{x\cdot x\cdot x}=\dfrac{x^2}{x^3}=\dfrac{1}{x}\cdot\dfrac{x\cdot x}{x\cdot x}=x^{2-3}=x^{-1}=\dfrac{1}{x}[/tex]
