Help with negative exponents

[chrisfromNJ]

Hello, all.

I am struggling to solve the following equation for r: w = Cr^-2

I started by dividing both sides by C: w/C = r^-2

Next, I converted the radical to a positive: w/C = 1/r^2

Now I can't remember what to do next. I need to solve for r. Am I off track?


Chris

[stapel_eliz]

Next, I converted the radical to a positive: w/C = 1/r^2

There aren't any radicals in the equation. I'll guess you mean "the exponent"...?

Now I can't remember what to do next. I need to solve for r. Am I off track?

One method might be to flip both sides; if fractions are equal, then their reciprocals are equal.

Then solve the resulting quadratic equation from there, using whichever method you prefer.