4.

6 Zero & Negative Exponents

Fill out the table:
Exponent

Answer

Fraction

Fraction
with Base
&
Exponent

24
23
22
21
20
2-1
2-2
2-3
2-4

What is a general rule that we can write?

Try these:
a) 10-2

d)

b) (-4)-2

c)

1
2
2

43
52

Evaluate the following using your calculator:

a) 20= ____ b) 60=____
465760=____

c) -5550 = ____

What is a 2nd general rule that we can write?

d)

Simplify Expressions - Remember MADSEEM!

a) 23

2-5

b)

((23)4)-2

d)

( x5 ) ( x 3 )
3
( x3 )

e)

x3

x
x13

(4 )7
(4 )8

c)

Fractions
1
3

()

What is a 3rd general rule that we can write?

Try these:

a)

1
6

()

b)

2
3

()

Radioactive Decay

Every 80 million years, 2-1 the mass of a sample of

the element plutonium decays to a different element.
If the original mass of plutonium was 16g, determine
the mass remaining after:
a) 80 million years

ZERO & NEGATIVE EXPONENTS

x0 = 1
1
x-a = ( x )
a

x
y

y
x

() ()
=

b) 240
million
years