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Exponents

Exponents represent how many times a base number is multiplied by itself, with key vocabulary including base, exponent, and power. The document outlines the laws of exponents for multiplication, division, and powers, along with rules for zero and negative exponents. It also provides a worked example and highlights common mistakes in exponent calculations.

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Nerien Coetzee
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6 views2 pages

Exponents

Exponents represent how many times a base number is multiplied by itself, with key vocabulary including base, exponent, and power. The document outlines the laws of exponents for multiplication, division, and powers, along with rules for zero and negative exponents. It also provides a worked example and highlights common mistakes in exponent calculations.

Uploaded by

Nerien Coetzee
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Exponents and the Laws of Exponents

1. What Are Exponents?


An exponent tells us how many times a base number is multiplied by itself.
Example: 3^4 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81

2. Vocabulary
Base: The number being multiplied.
Exponent: How many times the base is used.
Power: Another name for exponent.

3. Laws of Exponents

Multiplication Law:
a^m × a^n = a^(m+n)
Example: 2^3 × 2^4 = 2^7 = 128

Division Law:
a^m ÷ a^n = a^(m-n)
Example: 5^6 ÷ 5^2 = 5^4 = 625

Power of a Power:
(a^m)^n = a^(m×n)
Example: (3^2)^4 = 3^8 = 6561

Power of a Product:
(ab)^n = a^n b^n
Example: (2 × 5)^3 = 2^3 × 5^3 = 1000

Power of a Quotient:
(a/b)^n = a^n / b^n
Example: (3/4)^2 = 9/16

Zero Exponent Rule:


a^0 = 1
Example: 7^0 = 1

Negative Exponent Rule:


a^-n = 1 / a^n
Example: 4^-2 = 1/16

4. Worked Example
Simplify: (2^5 × 2^3) ÷ 2^4
Step 1: 2^(5+3) = 2^8
Step 2: 2^(8-4) = 2^4 = 16

5. Common Mistakes
(2^3)^2 = 2^6 (not 2^5)
5^0 = 1 (not 0)
2^3 + 2^4 must be calculated separately (8 + 16 = 24)

Summary:
Multiply → Add exponents
Divide → Subtract exponents
Power of power → Multiply exponents
Zero exponent → Equals 1
Negative exponent → Reciprocal

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