Laws of Exponents

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

 Introduction
Parts of a power

xn Exponent

Base

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

Review of Basic Exponent Laws
xn  xm = xn + m

xn  xm = xn – m

(xn)m = xnm

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

 Examples
Simplify the following exponential
expressions:
a) x3 5 x2
=x

b) x104  x6
=x

2) 3
c) (x=x 6
IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching
 Zero Exponents
Simplify the following
22= 1 21  21 = 21 – 1
= 20

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

 Zero Exponents
In general

xn  xn = xn – n = x 0
=1

Therefore: x0 = 1

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

 Negative Exponents
Simplify the following:
1
12= 20  21 = 20-1
2
= 2-1

1
8  32 = 23  25 = 23 - 5
4
= 2-2

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

 Negative Exponents
In general

1
1x= x0  x1 = x 0-1
x
= x-1

1
Therefore: x-m = m
x
IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching
 Example 1
Simplify
x y 
3 7 2

x4 y3

x6 y14
 4 3
xy

 x6 4 y143
 x2 y11
IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching
 Rational Exponents
Simplify:

5½  5½ = 5½+½therefore 5½ = 5
=5

5⅓  5⅓ 5⅓ = 5⅓+⅓_⅓ therefore 5⅓ = 3

5
=5

In general, x1/n = n x
IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching
 Rational Exponents
Now, interpret xm/n

xm/n = (x1/n)m

  x
n
m

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

 Example 2
Evaluate.
3
4
16 = (16¼)3
= (2)3
=8

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching

 Example 3
Simplify. Express your answer using positive
exponents only.
abc  2
a2b2c2
4 7 
ab a4 b7
2 5 2 c
 a b c  5

 a2b c 
1
5 2 2 ab 2

5

1 2 1
 a SLb© Natasha
IB Math c Lamb, published by Teaching
 Example 4
Simplify.

xy 
1
3 x5 y7 5 7 3

2 1  2 1
x y
3 3
x y
3 3
5 7
x y
3 3
 2 1
x y
3 3

5 2 7 1
 
x 3 3 y 3 3  xy 2

IB Math SL © Natasha Lamb, published by Teaching