Question

evaluate. write your answer as a fraction or whole number without exponents. 3^{-1} =

Explanation:

Step1: Apply negative - exponent rule

According to the rule $a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^{n}}$, when $a = 3$ and $n = 1$, we have $3^{-1}=\frac{1}{3^{1}}$.

Step2: Simplify the expression

Since $3^{1}=3$, then $\frac{1}{3^{1}}=\frac{1}{3}$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{3}$