Question 495401
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2<sup>3</sup>×8<sup>-1</sup>

2<sup>3</sup> means 2×2×2 which is 8.  So now we have:

  8×8<sup>-1</sup>

and since 8 is the same as 8<sup>1</sup>, we now have:

  8<sup>1</sup>×8<sup>-1</sup>

Now add the exponents of 8 and get

  8<sup>0</sup>

Any positive or negative number to the zero power is 1

Answer:  1

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You can also do it by using the definition of negative exponents:

2<sup>3</sup>×8<sup>-1</sup>

2<sup>3</sup>×{{{1/8}}}

8×{{{1/8}}}

   1

Edwin</pre>