3. The Laws of Exponents:
The Laws of Exponents:
Exponential form: The exponent of a power indicates
how many times the base multiplies itself.
n
n times
x x x x x x x x
3
Example: 5 5 5 5
n factors of x
4. #1: Multiplying Powers (Product of Powers): If
you are multiplying Powers with the same base, KEEP the BASE
& ADD the EXPONENTS!
m n m n
x x x
So, I get it!
When you
multiply
Powers, you
add the
exponents!
512
2
2
2
2 9
3
6
3
6
5. #2: Dividing Powers (Quotient of Powers):
When dividing Powers with the same base, KEEP the BASE &
SUBTRACT the EXPONENTS!
m
m n m n
n
x
x x x
x
So, I get it!
When you
divide
Powers, you
subtract the
exponents!
16
2
2
2
2 4
2
6
2
6
9. #3: Power of a Power: If you are raising a Power to an
exponent, you multiply the exponents!
n
m mn
x x
So, when I
take a Power
to a power, I
multiply the
exponents
6
2
3
2
3
5
5
)
5
(
10. #5: Product Law of Exponents: If the product of the
bases is powered by the same exponent, then the result is a
multiplication of individual factors of the product, each powered
by the given exponent.
n n n
xy x y
So, when I take
a Power of a
Product, I apply
the exponent to
all factors of
the product.
2
2
2
)
( b
a
ab
11. #6: Quotient Law of Exponents: If the quotient of the
bases is powered by the same exponent, then the result is both
numerator and denominator , each powered by the given exponent.
n n
n
x x
y y
So, when I take a
Power of a
Quotient, I apply
the exponent to
all parts of the
quotient.
81
16
3
2
3
2
4
4
4
15. #4: Negative Law of Exponents: If the base is powered
by the negative exponent, then the base becomes reciprocal with the
positive exponent.
1
m
m
x
x
So, when I have a
Negative Exponent, I
switch the base to its
reciprocal with a
Positive Exponent.
Ha Ha!
If the base with the
negative exponent is in
the denominator, it
moves to the
numerator to lose its
negative sign!
9
3
3
1
125
1
5
1
5
2
2
3
3
and
16. #5: Zero Law of Exponents: Any base powered by zero
exponent equals one.
0
1
x
1
)
5
(
1
1
5
0
0
0
a
and
a
and
So zero
factors of a
base equals 1.
That makes
sense! Every
power has a
coefficient
of 1.