multiplying same-base values means you add the indices, right?
this means x^2 * x^-1 = x^1
if we let y = x^-1 then x^2 * y = x
x * y = 1
y = 1/x
therefore x^-1 = 1/x
this means x^2 * x^-1 = x^1
if we let y = x^-1 then x^2 * y = x
x * y = 1
y = 1/x
therefore x^-1 = 1/x
1