Question

How do you express `(-7)^-1` as a positive exponent?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

Use this rule of exponents to eliminate the negative exponent:

`x^color(red)(a) = 1/x^color(red)(-a)`

`(-7)^color(red)(-1) = 1/((-7)^color(red)(- -1)) = 1/(-7)^1`

You can continue to simplify by using this rule of exponents:

`a^color(red)(1) = a`

`1/(-7)^color(red)(1) = 1/(-7) = -1/7`