Dividing MonomialsChapter 8-2S. Calahan

2008

To divide two powers that have the same base, subtract the exponents.

b15 ÷ b7 = b15-7 = b8

Quotient of Powers

Find the power of the numerator and the power of the denominator.

3 5 = 35 = 243 4 45 1024

Power of a Quotient

Any nonzero number raised to the zero power is 1.

(-0.25)0 = 1

Zero exponent

For any nonzero number a and any integer n, a-n is the reciprocal of an. In addition, the reciprocal of a-n is an.

5-2 = 1 = 1 52 25

Negative Exponents

1. 78 = 78-2 = 76

72 2. 6-2 = 1 = 1 62 36

Examples

3. 15b = 15 b1-5 = 1 45b5 45 3b4

4. 3 -3 = 23 = 8 2 33 27

Examples