What is 2 to the power -3?

1 Answer
Lydia K. · Stefan V.
Dec 6, 2017

The answer is #1/8#.

Explanation:

Since your exponent is negative, you will have to make a fraction. To make the exponent even, you will make #1# the numerator and #2# to the power of #3# the denominator.

Now that you have a fraction, and the exponent is no longer negative, you will keep #1# as the numerator and have #2*2*2# as the denominator.

You can simplify the denominator. #2# times #2# is #4# times #2# again, is #8#. The numerator is #1# and the denominator is #8#, which is the fraction #1/8#.

Also, #1# will always be the numerator when you are trying to simplify a number that has a negative exponent.

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