%5E-1-without-exponent.jpeg "(-9)^-1 Without Exponent")
Understanding (-9)^-1 without Exponents
The expression (-9)^-1 may seem intimidating, but it's actually quite straightforward once you understand the rules of exponents.
What Does a Negative Exponent Mean?
A negative exponent indicates the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive version of the exponent. In simpler terms, it "flips" the fraction.
Example: x^-2 = 1/x^2
Applying the Rule to (-9)^-1
Following the rule above, we can rewrite (-9)^-1 as:
(-9)^-1 = 1/(-9)^1
Since anything raised to the power of 1 is itself, we can simplify further:
1/(-9)^1 = 1/-9
Therefore, (-9)^-1 is equivalent to -1/9.
Key Takeaways
- Negative exponents mean reciprocals.
- (-9)^-1 is the same as 1/(-9).
- Understanding the rules of exponents simplifies complex expressions.