Module 2: Integer

Exponents
College Algebra
Jerome A. Jimenez, MoM

Integer Exponents

The product of a and b can be written as

a.b

(a)(b)

a(b)

(a)b

ab

The numbers a and b are called factors of product ab.

Suppose we have the product of two factors, each being x. we can
use the notation
x2 = (x)(x)
Where the numeral 2 written at the upper right of the symbol is
called an exponent.

Integer Exponents

In general, if a is a real number and n is a positive integer,

an = a . a . a a (n factors of a)
Where n is called the exponent, a is called the base and a n is
called the nth power of a.
Note: when a symbol is written without an exponent, the
exponent is understood to be 1.

Illustration

25 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2

= 32

(-3)3 = (-3) (-3) (-3)

= -27

Integer Exponents

Theorem 1
If m and n are positive integers and a is a real

number, then
an . am = an+m

Example

23 . 22 = 23+2

= 25
= 32
x4 . x = x4+1

= x5

Integer Exponents

Theorem 2
If m and n are positive integers and a is a real

number, then
(an)m = anm

Example

(23)2 = 2(3)(2)

= 26
= 64
(x2)5 = x(2)(5)

= x10

Integer Exponents

Theorem 3
If n is positive integer and a and b are real

numbers, then
(ab)n = anbn

Example

(2 . 5)3 = 23 . 53
= 8 . 125
= 1000

(x2y4)5 = (x2)5(y4)5
= x(2)(5)y(4)(5)
= x10y20

Integer Exponents

Theorem 4
If m and n are positive integers and a is a real

number where a 0, then

n

a
a
a
a
a
a

nm

nm

Example
6

x x
x

62

x 1
x x
7

73

x
x

1
4

Integer Exponents

Theorem 5
If n is a positive integer and a and b are real

numbers where b 0, then

n

a
an

b
bn

Example
2

2
3
3
5

x4z2 x z
3 3
y
y
3

4 2

32

243

x x z

12

Zero and Negative Integer

Exponents
If n is a positive integer and a is a real number

where a 0, then

a0 = 1
a-n = 1/an

Example
6
4

16

5 2
0

3
8

Exercises