Step by step
The question
Question: work out 2⁻³.
2−3
1 Work out the power
A minus in the power means 1 over.
So 2⁻³ is 1/2³.
= 123
2³ means 2 times 2 times 2.
23 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
2³ is 8.
So we get 1 over that: 1/8.
= 18
Can we make it simpler?
No number goes into both 1 and 8, except 1.
So it stays like this.
simplest ✓
So the answer is 1/8.
Answer
= 18