Final answer:
Negative exponents in mathematics can make numbers negative when used in specific contexts. When a number is raised to a negative exponent, it is flipped and placed in the denominator of a fraction, indicating division rather than multiplication. Negative exponents are also used in scientific notation to represent small numbers in powers of 10.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negative exponents in mathematics can make numbers negative when used in specific contexts. When a number is raised to a negative exponent, it is flipped and placed in the denominator of a fraction, indicating division rather than multiplication. For example, 2-3 is equal to 1/2³, which is 1/8. Negative exponents are used in scientific notation to express small numbers by using powers of 10. In scientific notation, negative exponents indicate the number of decimal places to move the decimal point to the left. For instance, 6.02 x 10-23 represents a very small number, where the decimal point is moved 23 places to the left.