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9.1 Properties of Exponents in

Multiplication Expressions
FlexBooks 2.0  >  CK-12 Interactive Middle School Math 8  >  Properties of Exponents in Multiplication Expressions
Last Modified: Dec 07, 2022

Exponents Revisited
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When a number is being multiplied by itself repeatedly, an exponent can be used to express this.

The exponent is the number which indicates how many times to multiply the base. The base is the number being multiplied.  This
expression can be written as a product of factors:

Writing exponents in expanded form will help understand the properties for exponent operations.

Product of Powers Property

In algebraic equations, there will be many instances where you will need to multiply terms with exponents. For example,
you might need to multiply the term   by  To multiply these expressions, first look at a simpler example.

Use the interactive below to explore how to multiply exponents.

INTERACTIVE
Product of Powers

TRY IT

PROGRESS 0/4

1. What is the pattern for multiplying exponents

with the same base?

Keep the base and multiply the

a exponents

Multiply the bases and add the

b exponents

c Keep the base and add the exponents

d Add the bases and add the exponents

Check It

Hint

The rule for multiplying exponents with the same base is called the Product of a Power Property. The Product of
Powers Property states that when multiplying two exponents with the same base, you can add the exponents and keep
the base.

To simplify the product of   and  , you will keep the base and add the exponent. However, in the expression 
 what is the exponent and what is the base? The exponent is 4, and the base is x. The number 2 is the coefficient.
To include the 2 in the base, you will need to write it in parenthesis: . Since the coefficients are not part of the
base or the exponent you will multiply them normally. This concept is easier to observe when written expanded form:

Now you can rearrange this using the commutative property as follows:

Power of a Product Property

A term can be a product of coefficients and variables. What would happen if you took a term to a power? Use the
interactive below to help understand this concept.

INTERACTIVE
Power of a Product

TRY IT

PROGRESS 0/4

1. What is the pattern for raising a term to a

power? Use the interactive if you need help!

Distribute the exponent to the first factor

a in the term like this:

Distribute the exponent to each factor in

b the term like this:

Multiply each factor of the term by the

c exponent like this:

Remove the parentheses like this:

d

Check It

Hint

The rule for raising a term to a power is called the Power of a Product Property. The Power of a Product Property states
that If a term is being raised to an exponent, you can distribute the exponent to each factor.

Power of a Power Property

The final property has to do with raising a power to a power. This property will pop up in many places. You may find
yourself having to simplify an expression like . To do this use the interactive below to explore the property.

INTERACTIVE
Power of a Power

Discussion Questions

1. What is the pattern for raising a power to a power?

2. Why does this work?

The rule for raising a power to a power is called the Power of a Power Property. The Power of a Power Property states
that if an exponent is being raised to another exponent, you can multiply the exponents. You can use this property to
solve a problem like . Before applying the property, first write the expression in expanded form.

To solve a problem like this, you will need to use two of three properties: you will need to distribute the exponent to the
term which will involve taking a power to a power. You must first distribute the outer exponent to each factor in the
term:

After distributing the exponent, you will need to simplify the power to a power to obtain the answer.

  Remember this!

Exponents represent repeated multiplication. For example:  

Use exponent properties to simplify exponential expressions:

Product of Powers Property:   

Power of a Product Property:   

Power of a Power Property:   

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