Understanding (5/8)^-1
When dealing with negative exponents, we need to remember that they represent the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive equivalent of the exponent.
In this case, (5/8)^-1 is the same as 1 / (5/8)^1.
Since any number raised to the power of 1 is itself, we can simplify this further:
1 / (5/8)^1 = 1 / (5/8)
Now, we have a fraction divided by a fraction. To divide fractions, we flip the second fraction and multiply:
1 / (5/8) = 1 * (8/5) = 8/5
Therefore, (5/8)^-1, without the exponent, is simply 8/5.