Check GMAT Club Decision Tracker for the Latest School Decision Releases https://gmatclub.com/AppTrack

 It is currently 23 May 2017, 20:55

### GMAT Club Daily Prep

#### Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

# Events & Promotions

###### Events & Promotions in June
Open Detailed Calendar

# what is the value?

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Intern
Joined: 11 Jun 2010
Posts: 14
Followers: 0

Kudos [?]: 44 [0], given: 0

### Show Tags

19 Dec 2010, 08:17
5^-5 - 5^-12 = ?

how do we interpret negative exponents in this case?
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 38841
Followers: 7719

Kudos [?]: 105937 [0], given: 11593

Re: what is the value? [#permalink]

### Show Tags

19 Dec 2010, 08:28
smitakokne wrote:
5^-5 - 5^-12 = ?

how do we interpret negative exponents in this case?

Negative exponents: $$a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^n}$$.

So, $$5^{-5}-5^{-12}=\frac{1}{5^5}-\frac{1}{5^{12}}=\frac{5^7-1}{5^{12}}$$.

For more check Number Theory chapter of Math Book: math-number-theory-88376.html
_________________
Re: what is the value?   [#permalink] 19 Dec 2010, 08:28
Similar topics Replies Last post
Similar
Topics:
For what max value of n ,the expression 10200! / 504^n will be an int. 1 26 Jan 2017, 23:31
DS question: What is the value of x^2 - y^2? 0 14 Jul 2016, 14:24
If p is a prime number greater than 2, what is the value of p ? 0 14 Jul 2015, 10:22
10 If 4/x < 1/3 , what is the possible range of values of x? 25 16 Feb 2017, 11:31
absolute value change sign on what side? 3 11 Jan 2012, 02:33
Display posts from previous: Sort by