We are given the expression:
(17.6^-1)^8 = 17.6 ^ -8
This means that the two terms on each side are equal. We are asked to show how this is possible.
First, use the rule of exponents. If a term raised to the power of a number x^n and is further raised to the power m: (x^n)^m, to simplify the expression, multiply n and m and this will be your end exponent = x^nm.
We can apply this rule here:
17.6^-1 ^ 8
-1 * 8 = -8
then, retain the base and replace the exponent with the product nm:
17.6 ^-8. This proves that the left term is equal to the right term.