HOW TO TEACH ZERO AND NEGATIVE EXPONENTS

Sometimes in Math we have things come up that need to be proved but our students do not
yet have the skill set mathematically to prove the new concept.

This is one of those times. However, we can show them the proof they need for zero and
negative exponents using patterns.

Why is 𝒂𝟎 = 𝟏?

Usually when we prove things and / or use patterns in math class we want to use the simplest
example we can.

Which in this case would be a base of 2. However, this is one time I do not use 2 as an
example. The reason I don't is because powers of 2 and multiplying / dividing by 2 with low
numbers are too closely related in their results and can confuse the students .

(EX: 2x2=4 and 22 = 4).

So I start with 3!

35 = 243

34 = 81

33 = 27

32 = 9

31 = 3

30 = 1

NOTICE that when we divide the answers by the base (3) it gives us the following answers.

1
 𝟐𝟒𝟑
= 81
𝟑

𝟖𝟏
= 27
𝟑

𝟐𝟕
= 9
𝟑

𝟗
= 3
𝟑

𝟑
= 1
𝟑

If need be you can now use different bases to show the pattern always works.

(Tip: Don't use 10 for the same reason I suggested not to use 2!)

PATTERNS WITH NEGATIVE BASES

You can now continue the pattern by showing them negative bases.

(−3)5 = − 𝟐𝟒𝟑

(−3)4 = 𝟖𝟏

(−3)3 = − 𝟐𝟕

(−3)2 = 𝟗

(−3)1 = − 𝟑

(−3)0 = 𝟏

NOTICE that when we divide the answers by the base (-3) it gives us the following answers.

−𝟐𝟒𝟑
= −81
𝟑

2
 −𝟖𝟏
= − 27
𝟑

−𝟐𝟕
=−9
𝟑

−𝟗
= −3
𝟑

−𝟑
= 1
𝟑

PATTERNS WITH NEGATIVE EXPONENTS

This pattern continues on for negative exponents as well.

35 = 243

34 = 81

33 = 27

32 = 9

31 = 3

30 = 1

1
3−1 =
3

1
3−2 =
9

1
3−3 =
27

1
3−4 =
81

1
3−5 =
243

3
So...

1 1
=
3 3

1
3= 1
3 9

1
3= 1
9 27

1
3 = 1
27 81

1
3 = 1
81 243

Finally, Make sure to point out that...

1 1
= 1
3 3

1 1
= 2
9 3

1 1
= 3
27 3

1 1
= 4
81 3

1 1
= 5
243 3

Now you're ready to move on to Exponents that are Fractions!