We are to simplify
[tex]2^{-3}[/tex]From the the laws of indices,
[tex]\begin{gathered} x^{-m}\text{ =}\frac{1}{x^m} \\ \end{gathered}[/tex]Aplying this law to the question, we have
[tex]\begin{gathered} 2^{-3}=\frac{1}{2^3} \\ =\frac{1}{8} \\ \text{ The answrer is }\frac{1}{8} \end{gathered}[/tex]