how do i simplify the expression 5x^-5

Question

5x^-5

Answer 1

5x^-5 = 5(1/x⁵) = 5/x⁵

 

Note:  since there are no parentheses, the exponent applies only to x.  If, on the other hand, the expression had been (5x)^-5, then 

(5x)^-5 = 1/(5x)⁵ = 1/3125

Answer 2

There's not that much you can do with it, but you could take advantage of the fact that a negative power is just the same as dividing by the same positive power.  So you could say:

 

5x^-5 = 5/x⁵

 

That's a LITTLE simpler than the original expression, but not much