for instance: [tex]3^{2}[/tex] the base is 3 and the exponent is 2.
if the exponent is a negative number [tex]3^{-2}[/tex] then the answer would be positive 9. if the number is even but with a negative number your answer with turn out possitive.
or your exponent is a negative odd number like [tex]3^{-3}[/tex] the the answer would turn out negative : -27
you could see it for yourself by doing : -3 x -3 x -3 = -27
