LAWS (THEOREMS) OF EXPONENTS (or

INDEX LAWS)

an = a¿a¿a¿a¿a¿a¿a …. a (n factors or the

number of times that “a” is multiplied is n) Examples:
- nth power of the base “a” x6
- a is the base and n is the exponent 1. 2 = x6-2 = x4
x

RULE 1. PRODUCT RULE x3 1 1

(multiplying same base, different exponents) 2. . 7 = 7 −3 = 4
x x x
am an = a m + n 3
Examples: x
3. 3 = 1
1. 23¿22 = 23+2 = 25 = 32 x
2. 4y3(-5x3y2) = -20x3y3+2
= -20x3y5 Note. We may apply the dividing out or
3. (3xy ) (-x3y2z2) = -3x4y4z2
2
cancellation technique in the quotient
rule.
RULE 2. A POWER RAISED TO A POWER
RULE 5. A QUOTIENT RAISED TO A POWER
(am)n = a mn

()
m
Examples:
a m a
= m
1. (23)2 = 23(2) = 26 = 64 b b
2. (x2)n = x2n
3. (x3)3 ¿ (y2)2 ¿ (z2)6 = x9y4z12 Examples:

()
5
2 5 2 32
RULE 3. A PRODUCT RAISED TO A POWER 1. = 5=
3 3 243
(ab)n = an bn

(( ) )
2
x 4 z2 x8 z 4
Examples: 2. 3 3 = 18
1. (2¿5)2 = 22 ¿ 52 = 4 ¿ 25 = 100 y y
2. (xyz)3 = x3y3z3
3. (x2y4z)3 = x2(3) y4(3) z3
= x6 y12 z3 RULE 6. ZERO AND NEGATIVE EXPONENTS
4. (-3z ) = (-3)3 z3n(3) = -27z9n
3n 3

a0 = 1 (any expression raised to zero is

RULE 4. QUOTIENT RULE equal to 1)

am 1
n = a
m-n
if m>n a -n = n
a a

am Examples:
n = 1 if m=n 1. 60 = 1
a 1 1
2. 4-2 = 2 =
m
1 4 16
a
n = n−m if m<n 1 1 1
a a 3. (-2)-3 = 3 = or -
(−2) −8 8
As a general rule, to remove
negative exponents, take the
reciprocal of the base and change
sign of the exponent to positive.