# Math Help - Simple exponent problem.

1. ## Simple exponent problem.

Hello all,

I have a simple math problem here and its been a while since I was out from school and cant remember how this is done. So here goes the problem.

34151 = 50000 * (1 + 10%)^-4

the question is, how do i construct the ^-4 value? do I do 1/50000 ^4?

need help here and thanks in advance.

2. ## Re: Simple exponent problem.

Originally Posted by schia
Hello all,

I have a simple math problem here and its been a while since I was out from school and cant remember how this is done. So here goes the problem.

34151 = 50000 * (1 + 10%)^-4

the question is, how do i construct the ^-4 value? do I do 1/50000 ^4?

need help here and thanks in advance.
First, do the stuff in the brackets. Then use the index law \displaystyle \begin{align*} a^{-m} = \frac{1}{a^m} \end{align*} to simplify.

3. ## Re: Simple exponent problem.

Originally Posted by Prove It
First, do the stuff in the brackets. Then use the index law \displaystyle \begin{align*} a^{-m} = \frac{1}{a^m} \end{align*} to simplify.
I need to hang out here more! thanks!!!