Lesson Plan

Grade 9 Academic Math Lesson: 9 __

Unit: Powers and Polynomials Topic: Zero and Negative Exponents

homework check: NPM 9 p.

note: Zero and Negative Exponents

In order to come up with a rule for zero and negative exponents, we continue to use the
meaning of exponents. For example, we know that if we divide something by itself, we get:
x4
=
x4
x/ ⋅ x ⋅ x ⋅ x ⋅ x
=
x/ ⋅ x ⋅ x ⋅ x ⋅ x
=1

We know that the division rule for exponents tells us:

x5
=
x5
= x5−5
= x0

Does it make sense that the same question would produce different results?
Therefore, x 0 = 1 .
These two results give us the zero exponent rule that states any base to the exponent zero
is equal to one.
Examples, simplify each of the following.
0
3
( ab )
0
3 =
0
=   = −50 =
 x
=1 =1 = −1
=1

Similarly, we can use the meaning of exponents to define a rule for negative exponents.
32
=
33
3×3
=
3 × 3 ×3
1
=
3
 We know that the division rule for exponents tells us:
32
=
33
= 32 − 3
= 3− 1
Does it make sense that the same question would produce different results?
1
Therefore, 3−1 = 1 .
3
These two results give us the negative exponent rule that states any base to a negative
1
exponent is equal to the reciprocal of that base to a positive exponent or in general x − n = n .
x
Examples, simplify each of the following using only positive exponents.
4−1 = 2 −3 =
x −2 = 3 x −3 =
1 1
= 1 = 3 1 3
4 2 = 2 = 3
1 1 x x
= =
4 8

homework assignment: FCM 11 p. 367 1 – 3, 7, 8, 16, 17