(-8)^-1 Without Exponent

Jasonbradley

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Jun 16, 2024

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Understanding (-8)^-1

The expression (-8)^-1 may seem daunting at first, but it's actually quite straightforward once you understand the concept of negative exponents.

Here's the breakdown:

• Negative Exponent: A negative exponent indicates the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive version of the exponent. In simpler terms, it flips the base and its exponent.
• Reciprocal: The reciprocal of a number is 1 divided by that number.

Applying these rules to our expression:

(-8)^-1 = 1/(-8)^1

Now, we have a familiar exponent:

1/(-8)^1 = 1/-8

Finally, we simplify:

1/-8 = -1/8

Therefore, (-8)^-1 is equivalent to -1/8.

Key takeaway: Negative exponents represent the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive version of the exponent. This concept simplifies complex expressions, making them easier to solve.