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Where does 1 come from on the end?

Can someone tell me where does 1 come from on the end, this got me really confused.

Dovy
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  • $$x^{-n}=\frac{1}{x^n}$$ – Christian Ivicevic May 23 '16 at 22:29
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    By definition $x^{-n} = \frac {1}{x^n}$. In general $1$ is the multiplicative identity which means $1b = b1 = b$ for every possible number. This also means $b/b = 1$ for all non-zero numbers. In a way, this means 1 is "always there" if we need to notate it. $b^{x - y} = \frac{b^x}{b^y}$ So for example $b^{2 - 5} = b^2/b^5 = 1/b^3 = b^{-3}$. This is why we say $b^0 = 1$. – fleablood May 23 '16 at 22:33

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$$3^1=3(1)=3$$ $$3^0=1$$ $$3^{-1}=1/3$$ $$3^{-2}=1/9$$

Because 1(x)=x, the 1 is always there no matter whether the exponent is positive, negative, or zero.

thecat
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