Algebra
Basic

Negative Exponent

A negative exponent means reciprocal.

Formula

a−n=1ana^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}

Variables

aBase
nExponent

Example

2⁻³ = 1/8

Did You Know?

A negative exponent means "reciprocal", so 10⁻³ is one-thousandth — the basis of scientific notation for tiny numbers.

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