How do you simplify #3^(-2)#?

2 Answers
Nov 11, 2017

#3^-2 = 1/3^2#
power -2 in the numerator will become 2 in the denominator as per theory of indices.

Explanation:

#3^-2 #

Multiply and divide by #3^2#

#= (3^-2 * 3^2) / 3^2#

#= 3^(-2+2) / 3^2 = 3^0 /3^2#

#= 1/3^2 = 1/9# as #3^0 = 1#

Nov 11, 2017

#3^(-2)=1/9#

Explanation:

Given:

#3^(-2)#

Apply negative exponent rule: #a^(-m)=1/a^m#.

#3^(-2)=1/3^2#

Simplify.

#1/3^2=1/9#