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

Question

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

Answer 1

In the spirit of ELI5, think of it this way

X³ = 1 * X * X * X

X² = 1 * X * X

X¹ = 1 * X

X° = 1

There’s the pattern…