Can anyone explain to me how to simplify an expression with negative exponents using the rules for multiplying monomials? Have to know it and im not sure!!

Answer 1

when multiplying, add exponents.
when dividing, subtract exponents.

x^5 * x^7 = x^12
x^-3 / x^-5 = x^(-3-(-5)) = x^(-3+5) = x^2

just take it a step at a time. Negative numbers are just like positive numbers. They add and subtract in the usual way.

Just remember that

1/x^n = x^-n
1/x^-n = x^n

moving a factor between numerator and denominator changes its sign.

Answer 2

Thanks!!