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AMA Manual of Style Committee

Contents

Negative Exponents

Chapter:
Mathematical Composition
Author(s):

Cheryl Iverson,

Stacy Christiansen,

Annette Flanagin,

Phil B. Fontanarosa,

Richard M. Glass,

Brenda Gregoline,

Stephen J. Lurie,

Harriet S. Meyer,

Margaret A. Winker,

Roxanne K. Young

21.4.2 Negative Exponents

A negative exponent denotes the reciprocal of the expression, as illustrated in these examples:

x−n= 1/xnA−1 = 1/AB−2 = 1/B2

A negative exponent may simplify some expressions within running text:

A(x+y)2mayalsobewrittenasA(x+y)-2orA/(x+y)2