Question

Be sure to explain your answer
as clear as possible.

Answer 1

Positive exponent? An index would imply that the base, x, had a fractional exponent.

My Dear Aunt Sally used to say, "If there's a negative exponent in your face, then flip your base!"

In other words, if the exponent is negative, take the reciprocal of the base, x →
`(1)/(x)` and change the exponent to positive.

Therefore:
`x^(-3) = (1)/(x^3)`

I have cross the fraction bar line change the exponent sign.