13 Pre-Calculus for Enigneers

Lesson 2.1: Exponents

Lesson Summary
Exponents are involved in writing real numbers, algebraic expressions, and
complicated polynomial expressions. In this lesson, the different properties of
exponents are discussed and sufficient sample problems are presented for
each property to enhance the learning process.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the different properties of exponents

2. Solve algebraic expressions involving the laws of exponents

Motivation Question
Do you know when exponents are added or subtracted?

Discussion

The Laws of Exponents

The definition of exponent may be illustrated in the simple algebraic
expression . Here, n is called the exponent and a is called the base. For
an integer exponent, we can say that

a2 = a . a ; a3 = a . a . a; a4 = a . a . a . a . a; and so on . . .

Also, the expression c . c . c . c . c . c can also be written as:

c . c . c . c . c . c = c6

From the above illustration, we can say that, if a is a real number and n is a
positive integer, then

an = a . a . a . a . a . a . a . . . . .a

The above description of an exponential expression provides a number of

properties on the laws of exponents which are very useful in multiplying
polynomials.

Let us now discuss each law and solve some sample problems. Table 3
summarize the different laws of exponents with illustrative sample problems.

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 Pre-Calculus for Engineers 14

Table 3 . Summarize of the different laws of exponents with illustrative sample

problems.

Illustrative Examples where m and n

are real integers and a and b are
Laws of Exponents
variables
1. General Form Example 1

an = a . a . a. . .a Evaluate
a) , If a=3 and n=4
“Any number a raise to b) , If a=x and n=5
power n equals to the Solution:
product of that number a
multiplied n-times” a)
b)

2. Law of Zero Exponent Example 2

a0 = 1 Evaluate
a) 20
b) x0
“Any number raise to zero
is always equal to 1” Solution
a) 20 = 1
b) x0 = 1
3. Law of addition of 2 Example 3
exponents
Evaluate
t a) , If a=3, m=2 and n=3
b) , If a=x, m=3 and n=4
“When two exponents with
the same are multiplied, Solution
t
add the two exponents” a)
t
a)

4. Law of subtraction of 2 Example 4

exponents in fraction
Evaluate
t a. , if a=4, m=4, and n=2

“If two exponents with the b. , if a=4, m=4, and n=2

same base are divided,
subtract the exponent of Solution
the denominator from the
t
exponent of the a. = 22 = 4
numerator” t
b. = x2

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 15 Pre-Calculus for Enigneers

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 Pre-Calculus for Engineers 16

Illustrative Examples where m and n

Laws of Exponents
are real integers and a and b are
(continued . . .)
variables
5. Law of Multiplication of Example 5
Exponents
Evaluate
a. if a = 2, m =3 and n = 4
b. , if a = x, m =2 and n = 3
“When an exponent with
Solution
base a and power m is
raised to another power n, a. ⹿
multiply m and n to b. ⹿
become a new power of
base a”

6. Distributive property of Example

Multiplication of
Exponents Evaluate
a) t , if a=2, b=x, and m=3
t t b) t , if a=x, b=y, and m=2

“The product of variables Solution

a and b raise to power m a)
has the common power b) ) )
factor m.

7. Distributive property Example

of division of
exponents Evaluate
a) t
, if a=3, b=x, and m=2;

t t
b) t
if a=x and b=y and m=3
“The quotient of variables
a and b raise to power m Solution
has the common power
factor m. a.

b. ) )

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 17 Pre-Calculus for Enigneers

Assessment
Instruction

Evaluate the following expressions containing negative and positive

exponents.

1. 8. t
t
2. 9. )t
t
⹿
3. )
10.

4. ⹿ 11.

t t
5. 12.
tt

t t)t
t
6. + tt 13. t t)t

⹿
7. 14 ⹿
)

References
1. LARSON, R and R.P. HOSTETLER. 2004. College Algebra, 6th ed.
Houghton Mifflin Co., 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-3764.

2. SULIVAN, M. 2005. College Algebra, 7th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall,

Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

Vision: A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation. TP-IMD-02
V0 07-15-2020
Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge
and innovative technologies for sustainable communities and environment.
No.CET.ESC.
SLG20-01