Question

How do you simplify `2^-3`?

Answer 1

See full explanation below.

Explanation:

First, use this rule for exponents:

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

Substituting gives:

`2^-3 = 1/2^(- -3) = 1/2^3 = 1/(2 xx 2 xx 2) = 1/8`

or

`0.125`