Math Is Fun Forum

Daniel123

Member

Registered: 2007-05-23

Posts: 663

Indices

Helloo all

I have an exam this morning (yes, on my first day back at school!), so I would really appreciate a quick response!

I would just like to clarify:

On a "simplify these expressions" indices question, should the final answer be left as:

  ?

Thanks!

Last edited by Daniel123 (2007-09-02 20:01:57)

luca-deltodesco

Member

Registered: 2006-05-05

Posts: 1,470

Re: Indices

i would say 2x^-6 but it shouldn't matter for that

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Daniel123

Member

Registered: 2007-05-23

Posts: 663

Re: Indices

Thanks... and for the fast answer

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: Indices

I'd say

personally, but as luca says it doesn't matter. Just go with your preference.

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Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: Indices

Fussy teachers will prefer

, I lost a ridiculous mark in a test because I had negative indices.

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: Indices

Fussy teachers will prefer

I would replace "fussy" with "wrong", but perhaps it's just me.

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."

Monox D. I-Fly

Member

From: Indonesia

Registered: 2015-12-02

Posts: 2,000

Re: Indices

Fussy teachers will prefer

I would replace "fussy" with "wrong", but perhaps it's just me.

Maybe the teacher is just someone with OCD who can't bear to see negative numbers.

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