Question

If $x$ be any non-zero integer, then $x^{-1}$ is equal to:

• A. $x$
• B. $\frac{1}{x}$
• C. $-x$
• D. $-\frac{1}{x}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B

$\frac{1}{x}$

Find the value of given exponent

An exponent of a number represents the number of times the number is multiplied by itself.

By the law of exponents

$a^{-m}=\frac{1}{a^m}$

Similarly, applying the above law, we get,

$$\begin{gathered} \Rightarrow x^{-1}=\frac{1}{x^1} \\ \therefore x^{-1}=\frac{1}{x} \end{gathered}$$

Hence, option (B) is the correct answer.