%5E-1-without-exponents.jpeg "(5/9)^-1 Without Exponents")
Understanding (5/9)^-1 without Exponents
The expression (5/9)^-1 might seem intimidating at first, especially if you're not comfortable with exponents. But it's actually quite straightforward when you break it down.
The Power of Negative Exponents
A negative exponent essentially means "take the reciprocal". In other words:
x^-1 = 1/x
This applies to any number or fraction.
Applying the Rule to (5/9)^-1
So, to solve (5/9)^-1 without exponents:
- Take the reciprocal of the base: The base is (5/9). The reciprocal of (5/9) is (9/5).
- Therefore, (5/9)^-1 = 9/5
Conclusion
By understanding the concept of negative exponents, we can easily simplify expressions like (5/9)^-1 without relying on exponents. This principle applies to any fractional base raised to a negative power.