Question

rewrite the following without an exponent. $(-5)^{-1}$

Explanation:

Step1: Apply negative exponent rule

Recall $a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$, so $(-5)^{-1} = \frac{1}{(-5)^1}$

Step2: Simplify the positive exponent

$(-5)^1 = -5$, so $\frac{1}{(-5)^1} = \frac{1}{-5}$

Step3: Rewrite the fraction

$\frac{1}{-5} = -\frac{1}{5}$

Answer:

$-\frac{1}{5}$