eli5: why is x⁰ = 1 instead of non-existent?

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It kinda doesn’t make sense.
x¹= x

x² = x*x

x³= x*x*x

etc…

and even with negative numbers you’re still multiplying the number by itself

like (x)-² = 1/x² = 1/(x*x)

In: 1797

38 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Follow the pattern backwards:

* x³= x*x*x divide by x is x²
* x² = x*x divide by x is x
* x¹= x divide by x (x/x) is 1 : Follow the index law
* x^(0) = 1 divide by x is x^(-1) (x/x/x , 1/x)

When an operation inverts on itself, it negates itself into 1 and further increases it’s inverse operation. You are thinking of dividing by 0 which has no value therefore it cannot be calculated.

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