# Math Help - [SOLVED] Fractions with powers

1. ## [SOLVED] Fractions with powers

I'm running through some homework and have got the question
find the gradient of the following curve at the given point

f(x) = 1 / x^2 @ (2, 0.25)

so I looked at 1 / x^2

and I'm thinking

if x^-1 = 1 / x
will 1/x^2 = x^-2? Or -x^2 ?

Or am I just going off on one?
Thankyou for any help you can provide

2. Originally Posted by Corko93
I'm running through some homework and have got the question
find the gradient of the following curve at the given point

f(x) = 1 / x^2 @ (2, 0.25)

so I looked at 1 / x^2

and I'm thinking

if x^-1 = 1 / x
will 1/x^2 = x^-2? Or -x^2 ?

Or am I just going off on one?
Thankyou for any help you can provide
$\frac 1{x^2} = x^{-2}$ since $\frac 1{x^a} = x^{-a}$

powers do not change the sign of the base

3. Originally Posted by Jhevon
$\frac 1{x^2} = x^{-2}$ since $\frac 1{x^a} = x^{-a}$

powers do not change the sign of the base
Thankyou very much!
I'l note this down in my revision sheet