Final answer:
The question addresses the property of negative exponents in algebra, which states that a negative exponent represents the reciprocal of the base raised to the corresponding positive exponent. This rule is crucial in simplifying expressions and understanding how quantities cancel when they are the same in both the numerator and denominator of a fraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around the concept of negative exponents in algebra. When we have a rational exponent like m/n and it is negative, we apply the rule that a-m/n is equal to 1/am/n. This is because negative exponents indicate the reciprocal (or inversion) of the base raised to the positive exponent.
For instance, if we simplify a fraction where both the numerator and the denominator have the same quantity but possibly different units, the fraction equals 1 since the amounts cancel each other out.
Using this rule, together with the property that any quantity raised to the zero power equals 1, we can understand how to simplify expressions with negative exponents and perform operations while maintaining the equality of an equation.
For example, given an expression like xn/xn, regardless of whether we express x in different forms or units, the equation simplifies to 1 because the same quantities are in both the numerator and the denominator.