EXPONENT RULES & PRACTICE

1. PRODUCT RULE: To multiply when two bases are the same, write the base and ADD the exponents.
!" · !$ % !"&$
Examples:

A. ' ( · ' ) % ' ** B. 2, · 2- % 2. C. /' - 01/' ( 0 , 1 % ' 2 0 2

2. QUOTIENT RULE: To divide when two bases are the same, write the base and SUBTRACT the exponents.
!"
!$
% !"3$
Examples:

45 (5 4 695
A. 46
% '( B. (7
% 3- C. 49 7
% '0 -

3. ZERO EXPONENT RULE: Any base (except 0) raised to the zero power is equal to one.
!: % ;
Examples:

A. 0 < % 1 B. 6< % 1 C. /7@( A 3* 1< % 1

4. POWER RULE: To raise a power to another power, write the base and MULTIPLY the exponents.
/!" 1$ % !"·$
Examples:

A. /' ( 1- % ' . B. /3- 1, % 3) C. /B 2 1- % B*<

5. EXPANDED POWER RULE:

! " !"
/!C1" % !" C$ DC E % C "
Examples:

A. /2@1( % 2( @( % 8@( 46
,
G4 6 H
I
4J
C. D 9 E % 9I
% 9I
B. /6' ( 1- % 6- /' ( 1- % 36' .
-4 ( /-417 -7 4 7 )4 7
D. D(96 E % /(96 17 % (7 /96 17 % -K9L

6. NEGATIVE EXPONENTS: If a factor in the numerator or denominator is moved across the fraction bar, the sign
of the exponent is changed.
; ; ! 3$ C $
!3" % !" !M"
% !" DC E % D !E
Examples:
* * * 3,4 5
A. ' 3( % 4 7 B. 43- % ,6 % *. C. O4' 2 0 3- % 96
3( 3.
46 9 ( 97 E. /3' 3- 01/O2'0 3( 1 % O6' 3* 0 3- % 496
D. D 9 E % D4 6 E % 4 L
P M6 Q7 Q7 R I S 3- -
% 3-4 6 9I 9J
F. R MI S MT P6 G. /O2' - 0 3, 13- % D 9I
E % D3-46 E % ,4 I
* *
CAUTION: O' U For example: O3 U
4 (
REMEMBER: An exponent applies to only the factor it is directly next to unless parentheses enclose other factors.
Examples:
A. /O31- % /O31/O31 % 9 B. O3- % O9