system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
If you explain 3^2 as three multiplied by itself twice, how do you explain 3^-1 using the same language convention?

E.g 3^2 = 3 x 3

3^1 = 3

3^1 = 1/3

As in, you can explain positive powers by saying the base multiplied  by itself x number of times. But how do you explain negative exponents in the same way? Can you even? 3^-2 isn't 3 x itself negative 2 times, it's just 1/3^2.

How do you explain this using language? 

Source: A friend asked me this, had no idea.
gpt
You forgot a factor that explains the relationship, one!

3^2 = 1x3x3 = one multiplied by two threes.

3^1 = 1x3 = one multiplied by one three.

3^0 = 1 = one multiplied by no threes.

3^-1 = 1 / 3 = one divided by one three.

3^-2 = 1 / (3x3) = one divided by two threes.