Understanding Exponents and Their Inverses

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 110 views

Understanding Exponents and Their Inverses

In mathematics, exponents are a shorthand way of representing repeated multiplication. For example, the expression $\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{-2}$ can be interpreted as $\frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2}$ . However, we are asked to rewrite this expression without an exponent. In this article, we will explore the concept of exponents and their inverses, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to rewrite the given expression.

What are Exponents?

Exponents are a way of representing repeated multiplication. For example, the expression $a^b$ can be interpreted as $a \times a \times a \times \ldots \times a$ (b times). Exponents can also be used to represent division, where the exponent is negative. For example, the expression $a^{-b}$ can be interpreted as $\frac{1}{a^b}$ .

Rewriting the Expression without an Exponent

To rewrite the expression $\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{-2}$ without an exponent, we need to use the concept of exponents and their inverses. We can start by rewriting the expression as $\frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2}$ .

Step 1: Rewrite the Expression as a Fraction

We can rewrite the expression $\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{-2}$ as a fraction by using the concept of exponents and their inverses. We can start by rewriting the expression as $\frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2}$ .

\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{-2} = \frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2}

Step 2: Simplify the Expression

We can simplify the expression $\frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2}$ by using the concept of exponents and their inverses. We can start by rewriting the expression as $\frac{1}{\frac{25}{64}}$ .

\frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2} = \frac{1}{\frac{25}{64}}

Step 3: Simplify the Fraction

We can simplify the fraction $\frac{1}{\frac{25}{64}}$ by using the concept of exponents and their inverses. We can start by rewriting the expression as $\frac{64}{25}$ .

\frac{1}{\frac{25}{64}} = \frac{64}{25}

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the concept of exponents and their inverses, and provided a step-by-step guide on how to rewrite the expression $\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{-2}$ without an exponent. We have shown that the expression can be rewritten as a fraction, and then simplified to $\frac{64}{25}$ . This demonstrates the importance of understanding exponents and their inverses in mathematics.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{\frac{64}{25}}$ .

Additional Resources

For more information on exponents and their inverses, please refer to the following resources:

Khan Academy: Exponents and Exponent Rules
Mathway: Exponents and Exponent Rules
Wolfram MathWorld: Exponents and Exponent Rules

References

"Algebra and Trigonometry" by Michael Sullivan
"Mathematics for the Nonmathematician" by Morris Kline
"Calculus" by Michael Spivak
Q&A: Exponents and Their Inverses =====================================

Frequently Asked Questions

In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about exponents and their inverses.

Q: What is an exponent?

A: An exponent is a shorthand way of representing repeated multiplication. For example, the expression $a^b$ can be interpreted as $a \times a \times a \times \ldots \times a$ (b times).

Q: What is the inverse of an exponent?

A: The inverse of an exponent is a way of representing division. For example, the expression $a^{-b}$ can be interpreted as $\frac{1}{a^b}$ .

Q: How do I rewrite an expression with an exponent without an exponent?

A: To rewrite an expression with an exponent without an exponent, you can use the concept of exponents and their inverses. For example, the expression $\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^{-2}$ can be rewritten as $\frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2}$ .

Q: What is the difference between a positive exponent and a negative exponent?

A: A positive exponent represents repeated multiplication, while a negative exponent represents division. For example, the expression $a^b$ represents repeated multiplication, while the expression $a^{-b}$ represents division.

Q: How do I simplify an expression with an exponent?

A: To simplify an expression with an exponent, you can use the concept of exponents and their inverses. For example, the expression $\frac{1}{\left(\frac{5}{8}\right)^2}$ can be simplified to $\frac{64}{25}$ .

Q: What are some common exponent rules?

A: Some common exponent rules include:

$a^b \times a^c = a^{b+c}$
$\frac{a^b}{a^c} = a^{b-c}$
$(a^b)^c = a^{bc}$

Q: How do I apply exponent rules to simplify an expression?

A: To apply exponent rules to simplify an expression, you can use the following steps:

Identify the exponent rules that apply to the expression.
Apply the exponent rules to simplify the expression.
Check your work to make sure that the expression is simplified correctly.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with exponents?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when working with exponents include:

Forgetting to apply exponent rules
Not simplifying expressions correctly
Making errors when multiplying or dividing exponents

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about exponents and their inverses. We have covered topics such as rewriting expressions without exponents, simplifying expressions with exponents, and applying exponent rules. We hope that this article has been helpful in clarifying any confusion you may have had about exponents and their inverses.

Additional Resources

For more information on exponents and their inverses, please refer to the following resources:

Khan Academy: Exponents and Exponent Rules
Mathway: Exponents and Exponent Rules
Wolfram MathWorld: Exponents and Exponent Rules

References

"Algebra and Trigonometry" by Michael Sullivan
"Mathematics for the Nonmathematician" by Morris Kline
"Calculus" by Michael Spivak