How do you simplify #(-10)^5/ (-10)^9# leaving only positive exponents?

2 Answers
Mar 15, 2018

#1/10000 = 1/10^4#

Explanation:

Expression #= (-10)^5/((-10)^9#

#= (-10)^(5-9)#

#= (-10)^(-4)#

#= 1/(-10)^4 = 1/10000 = 1/10^4#

Mar 15, 2018

#1/"10^4"#

Explanation:

NOTE THE NEGATIVES DO NOT CANCEL OUT. I'M WRONG.
#10^5/"10^9"#

Now you just subtract the larger degree from the smaller degree
Larger Degree is: #10^9#
Smaller Degree is: #10^5#

So #9-5=4#

Giving us
#10^0/"10^4"#

And anything to the '0' power gives us 1.

So the answer is
#1/"10^4"# in positive exponents.