Question

rewrite the following without an exponent.
(-2)^{-1}

Explanation:

Step1: Recall negative - exponent rule

For any non - zero number \(a\), \(a^{-n}=\frac{1}{a^{n}}\). Here \(a = - 2\) and \(n = 1\), so \((-2)^{-1}=\frac{1}{(-2)^{1}}\).

Step2: Simplify the expression

Since \((-2)^{1}=-2\), then \(\frac{1}{(-2)^{1}}=-\frac{1}{2}\).

Answer:

\(-\frac{1}{2}\)