Solving algebraic equations with negative exponents

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brittany8209
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Exponents Negative
Click For Summary
To solve the equation x^-2 = 1/9, rewrite it as x^2 = 9, leading to x = ±3. For the equation x^-2 - 13x^-1 + 36 = 0, multiply through by x^2 to eliminate negative exponents, resulting in 1 - 13x + 36x^2 = 0. This simplifies to the quadratic equation 36x^2 - 13x + 1 = 0. The solutions can be found using the quadratic formula, yielding x values that can be calculated directly. Understanding the manipulation of exponents is crucial for solving these types of equations.
Brittany8209
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
solve for x: x^-2 = 1/9



solve for x: x^-2 - 13x^-1 +36 = 0



I don't understand how to solve either equations.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Remember that x^{-a}=\frac{1}{x^a} so try multiplying through by x2 in both.
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K