Simplifying $3^{-4}$ to $1/81$ How would you solve for $3^{-4}$? I know the answer is $1/81$ but I can't work out how you get there with this one.
$3^{-4}=({3^4})^{-1}$

But $3^4=(3^2)^2=9^2=81$

So we get the answer is $81^{-1}=\frac{1}{81}$
you can think like this let $3^{-4}=a$ where a could be any real number. and we know a property $m^{-n}=1/m^n$ therefore$$3^{-4}=a\implies\frac 1{3^4}=a $$$$1=a\times3^4$$now think of a value of $a$ which when multiplied by $3^4$ gives 1. yes it is $1/3^4$