Pre Algebra Exponents

University:
Virtual High School
Course:
STEM | Mathematics
Academic year:

2020
Views:

128

Pages:

2
Author:

Amira Hester

Exponents Introduction to Exponents ● A product of repeated factors can be expressed in exponential form. ● There are two parts to an expression in exponential form: the base and the exponent. To evaluate a power means to simplify it to find its value as a singular number ● *Note that the parentheses means the base includes the negative sign; no parentheses would mean that the negative is not part of the base. ● *Note that fractions that are raised to a power must be in parentheses, meaning the numerator and denominator are both raised to that power. Multiplication of Numbers in Exponential Form ● To multiply powers with the same base, keep the base and add the exponents. If there are coefficients, multiply them. ○ Ex. Raising a Power to a Power ● To multiply a power raised to a power, keep the base and multiply the exponents. ● To raise a product to a power, raise each factor to the power. Division of Numbers in Exponential Form - Simplifying Fractions ● To divide powers with the same base, keep the base and subtract the exponents. If there are coefficients, divide the coefficients. Zero and Negative Exponents ● To simplify an exponential expression means to write it using the fewest number of bases possible with only positive exponents. ● When you multiply or divide exponential expressions, you may end up with negative or zero exponents. They must be further simplified so the final expression contains only positive exponents. ● Zero Power Definition: Any base with an exponent of 0 equals 1 (0^0 is undefined) ○ Ex. ● Negative Exponents: Any base raised to a negative exponent is equal to the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive exponent. ○ Ex.