Lesson 1 - EXPONENTS

Grade 9
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When number represented by a variable a
is multiplied by itself n number of times,
such product can be recorded as: power

n exponent
a x a x a x ............ x a = a
n times base

1 0 n
a =a a =1 1 =1
any base raised to any base raised the base of 1 raised
the exponent 1 to the exponent 0 to any exponent is
is equal to the base is equal to 1 equal to 1

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 ORDER OF OPERATIONS
According to the order of operations (BEDMAS) exponent comes
second after operations in brackets.
If the expression does not contain operations in brackets, perform
the operation of raising to the exponent first, prior to dividing,
multiplying, adding and subtracting.

2 3
3 + (5 - 3) + 6 x 2

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 EXPONENT LAWS
Natural Number Exponents

When multiplying powers with the same bases, m n m+n 5 3 5+3 8

keep the base and add the exponents
a x a =a 2 x 2=2 =2

When dividing powers with the same bases, m n m-n 5 3 5-3 2

keep the base and subtract the exponents a a =a 2 2=2 =2

n 3 6
When raising a power to an exponent, multiply m mn 2
the exponents
(a ) = a (3 ) = 3

a = 0  when it is in the denominator

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 EXPONENT LAWS
Natural Number Exponents

When raising a product of terms to the m m m 2 2 2

(ab) = a b (2 x 3) = 2 x 3
exponent, raise every term of the product to
that exponent separately
m m 2 2
When raising a quotient of terms to the a b 5 5
exponent, raise every term of the quotient to
( b ) =  a m ( 6 ) =  6 2
that exponent separately

When raising a base to a negative exponent,

change the base to its reciprocal and the sign
a -n b n 2 -4 3 4
( b ) = ( a )   ( 3 ) = ( 2 )  
of the exponent to a positive

a,b = 0  when they are in the denominator

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 TRY IT YOURSELF
EVALUATE:

10 3 17 13 3 3 -3
2 x 2 =  5 5 =  (2xy) = ( 5 ) = 

WHEN THE BASE IS NEGATIVE AND THE EXPONENT IS AN EVEN NUMBER

2 2
-2 = - (2) x (2) = - 4 BUT (-2) = (-2) x (-2) = 4

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MOVE ON TO
GRADE 9 LESSON 2