(-3)^-2 Without Exponent

Jasonbradley

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Jun 16, 2024

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Understanding (-3)^-2 without Exponents

The expression (-3)^-2 might seem intimidating at first, especially if you're not comfortable with exponents. But let's break it down step-by-step to understand its meaning without relying on exponents.

Understanding Negative Exponents

A negative exponent essentially means "take the reciprocal". So, x^-n is the same as 1/x^n.

Applying the Concept

Let's apply this to our expression (-3)^-2:

1. Reciprocal: (-3)^-2 is the same as 1/(-3)^2.

2. Squaring: (-3)^2 means (-3) multiplied by itself, which equals 9.

3. Putting it Together: Therefore, 1/(-3)^2 is equal to 1/9.

Conclusion

By understanding the concept of negative exponents, we've successfully rewritten (-3)^-2 without using exponents. The final answer, expressed as a fraction, is 1/9.