SOLUTION: Can you please help me simplify 1/(3)^-5 ? Thanks!

Algebra ->  Exponents-negative-and-fractional -> SOLUTION: Can you please help me simplify 1/(3)^-5 ? Thanks!      Log On


   



Question 42787: Can you please help me simplify 1/(3)^-5 ? Thanks!
Answer by aaaaaaaa(138) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Exponentiation of an integer a by a negative integer b is defined as
a%5E%28-b%29+=+%281%2Fa%29%5Eb
So, we can modify the original expression to 1%2F%281%2F3%29%5E5
Exponentiation of fractions is defined as
%28a%2Fb%29%5Ec+=+%28a%5Ec%29%2F%28b%5Ec%29
So, we can modify the expression to 1%2F%281%2F243%29
Division by fractions is defined as:
a+%2F+%28b%2Fc%29+=+a+%2A+%28c%2Fb%29
So, we have 1+%2A+%28243%2F1%29
243/1 is clearly equal to 243, so our answer is 1%2A+243+=+243
I hope this clears any doubts you had.