Sure! Let's break it down step by step using a more intuitive approach.
Step 1: Understanding Negative Exponents
When we see a negative exponent, it means we are dealing with a reciprocal. Specifically, the expression \( a^{-n} \) is telling us to take the reciprocal of \( a^n \).
Step 2: Apply the Rule
So for your expression \( 3^{-1/2} \):
- The base is \( 3 \).
- The exponent is \( -\frac{1}{2} \).
Applying the Negative Exponent Rule, we rewrite \( 3^{-1/2} \) as:
\[
3^{-1/2} = \frac{1}{3^{1/2}}
\]
Step 3: Simplify Further
Now, we need to understand \( 3^{1/2} \). The exponent \( \frac{1}{2} \) represents the square root. In simple terms:
- \( 3^{1/2} \) is the same as \( \sqrt{3} \).
So now we substitute \( 3^{1/2} \) with \( \sqrt{3} \):
\[
3^{-1/2} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}
\]
Final Result
Thus, in a straightforward manner, we have shown that:
\[
3^{-1/2} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}
\]
We used the understanding of negative exponents to express it as a fraction, and then we recognized that \( 3^{1/2} \) corresponds to the square root of 3. This gives us the equivalent expression.