Laws of Exponents

Review

• An exponent tells you how many times the base is multiplied by itself.

h5 means h∙ h∙ h∙ h∙ h

• Any number to the zero power is 1!

• Any number to the first power is itself!

exponentbase

Product Rule

• Same base? Then add the exponentsa m ∙ a n = a m+nExamples:

k 8 ∙ k 7 =(a 4 )(a 2 ) =9x 7 x5 x =(4r 3 )(5r 6 ) =

Quotient Rule

• Same base? Subtract the larger exponent from the smaller exponent.

• Write difference where the larger exponent was (upstairs or down)

Quotient Rule

• Same base? Subtract the larger exponent from the smaller exponent.Examples:

Power To A Power Rule

• Multiply the exponents(a m)n = a m∙nExamples:(c 6 )4 =5(m 4 )4 =

(9h)2 =

• Multiply the exponents(a m)n = a m∙nMore Examples:(s3 q5 )2 =(2xy 4 )3 =4(5r 6 )2 =

Try Me!