How do you simplify a fraction with a negative integer exponent?

#(1/2)^-3#

1 Answer
smendyka
Jan 30, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Use this rule of exponents:

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

#(1/2)^color(red)(-3) =>#

#1/(1/2)^color(red)(- -3) =>#

#1/(1/2)^color(red)(3) =>#

#1/(1/2 xx 1/2 xx 1/2) =>#

#1/((1 xx 1 xx 1)/(2 xx 2 xx 2)) =>#

#1/(1/8) =>#

#8#

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