Math question: HELP ME!?

Question

Can someone help me solve this and list and explain the steps in doing it?QUESTION: one-over-three to the power of negative-twoPS. IT'S UNDER THE MATH TOPIC OF INDICES

Answer 1

x = (1/ 3)^ -2 take square root of both sides

x^ (1/2) = (1/ 3)^ -1 ; [ y^ -1 = 1/y ]

x^ (1/2) = 3 square both sides

x = 9

Answer 2

A negative exponent means the reciprocal of the same thing with a positive exponent. So 1 / (3^-2) = 3^2 / 1 = 9 / 1 = 9