Pre-Algebra: Chapter 4-9
Negative Exponents
We have a new rule today for exponents. For any number “a” and any integer n, a to the negative nth power = 1 / a to the nth power. This is hard to explain in text, but click this link from Purple Math.
Algebra: Chapter 7-5
Equations and Slopes
An equation y = mx + b is called the slope-intercept equation of a line. The slope is m and the y-intercept is b (technically, the ordered pair [0, b]). Solve for y BY ITSELF and then the slope and y-intercept are readily evident. Also, having the slope and y-intercept, you can easily graph your equation. The definition of slope = rise ÷ run can come in handy on the graph paper.
Remember, that -1/2 = 1/-2 = – ½. Here is a link that can further explain the slope-intercept equation!