Chapter 1_Exponents

1.2 Properties of Powers

1. Powers of Negative numbers.

To show that a negative number is raised to a power, we enclose the

negative number in parentheses.

For example, to indicate the square of -5, we write

2
(−5) =(−5 )(−5 ) =25

ATTENTION: The placement of parentheses changes the meaning of the

expressions!

Example: Compute each power.

a) −42 b) (−4)2 c) −(4)2 d) (−42 )
Solution.
a) Only 4 is squared: −42=−4 · 4=−16

b) The negative number is squared: (−4)2=(−4 ) (−4 )=16

c) Only 4 is squared: −( 4)2=−(4)·( 4)=−16

d) Only 4 is squared, and the entire expression appears within parentheses:

(−42 ) =(−4 · 4 )=−16

2. a 0=1 and 1
a =a

3. a m ∙ an =am +n

4. (a ¿¿ m)n=am ∙n ¿

a n an
5. ( ) = n
b a

6. (a ∙ b)n=an ∙ b n