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Why is (1/2)^-1 equal to 2?

 Feb 9, 2015

Best Answer 

 #2
avatar+118723 
+5

Maybe this might help you accept it

$$\\5^3 \div 5^4= 5^{3-4}=5^{-1}\\\\
BUT\\\\5^3 \div 5^4= \frac{5*5*5}{5*5*5*5}=\frac{\not{5}\not{5}\not{5}}{\not{5}*\not{5}*\not{5}*5}=\frac{1}{5}\\\\
so\\\\
5^{-1}=\frac{1}{5}\\$$
  

 

By the same logic

 

$$2^{-1}=\frac{1}{2}$$

 Feb 9, 2015
 #1
avatar
+5

Whenever you are given a negative exponent, the value is flipped into it's reciporical. In this case, it is flipped back to 2. 

 Feb 9, 2015
 #2
avatar+118723 
+5
Best Answer

Maybe this might help you accept it

$$\\5^3 \div 5^4= 5^{3-4}=5^{-1}\\\\
BUT\\\\5^3 \div 5^4= \frac{5*5*5}{5*5*5*5}=\frac{\not{5}\not{5}\not{5}}{\not{5}*\not{5}*\not{5}*5}=\frac{1}{5}\\\\
so\\\\
5^{-1}=\frac{1}{5}\\$$
  

 

By the same logic

 

$$2^{-1}=\frac{1}{2}$$

Melody Feb 9, 2015

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