From a textbook of recent publication;
"The average radiation on the Earth’s surface is $340 W m^{−2}$."
I get the 340W. I presume m is meters. How does a minus 2 affect a meter, rather a square meter?
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$\begingroup$ Format error. The -2 is an exponent of m. Quote should be trailing quote paired with the first one. $\endgroup$– BcwilmotSep 19, 2018 at 19:05
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$\begingroup$ Why the tag is [negative-binomial]? $\endgroup$– TaroccoesbroccoSep 19, 2018 at 19:07
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1 Answer
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It should be read as "per" and without the negative. So, in your case, "watts per square meter." You do the same thing with "miles per hour," which is $$ \frac{\text{miles}}{\text{hour}} = \text{miles} \cdot \text{hour}^{-1} $$
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$\begingroup$ NO, that's what it means. Multiplication by negative exponents means dividing by the same power (without the minus sign). $\endgroup$– RandallSep 19, 2018 at 19:09
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$\begingroup$ What is the difference between m2 and m-2 ? $\endgroup$– BcwilmotSep 19, 2018 at 19:10
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$\begingroup$ I own 2 square meters of property, and it cost me \$5 PER square meter. The first has units $m^2$ (how much I own) and the second $\frac{\text{dollars}}{m^2} = \text{dollars}\cdot m^{-2}$ (the rate at which I paid for it). $\endgroup$– RandallSep 19, 2018 at 19:10