Exponent Properties

PROPERTY EXAMPLES
𝒙𝒏 ∙ 𝒙𝒎 = 𝒙𝒏+𝒎 23 ⋅ 25 = 27
𝒙𝒏 𝒏−𝒎 38 6
= 𝒙 = 3
𝒙𝒎 32
(𝒙 𝒏 )𝒎 = 𝒙 𝒏 ∙ 𝒎 (54 )3 = 512
(𝒙 ⋅ 𝒚)𝒏 = 𝒙𝒏 ⋅ 𝒚𝒏 (3 ⋅ 5)7 = 33 ⋅ 57
𝒙 𝒏 𝒙𝒏 2 5 25
( ) = 𝒏 ( ) = 5
𝒚 𝒚 3 3
Remember the dot (∙) indicates multiplication (×).

Index number with Negative bases exponents.

Remember! When you multiply a negative number BY a negative number it will

be a POSITIVE numeral, but when you multiply negative numbers 3 times it
becomes a Negative numeral.

(−𝑥 ) ⋅ (−𝑥 ) = (+𝑥 )

(−𝑥 ) ∙ (−𝑥 ) ∙ (−𝑥 ) = (−𝑥)
But when it comes to Index numbers the integer of a number is different.
e.g., (negative)odd → negative
 In numeral form

(−3)3 = (−3) ⋅ (−3) ⋅ (−3) = (−27)

You will always end up with a negative numeral. But remember if the exponent is
a EVEN NUMERAL the value will be a positive number.
Remember! Positive times a negative will always be negative.

(+𝑥 ) ⋅ (−𝑥 ) = (−𝑥 )

Dividing
When it comes to dividing it is basically the same as multiplying.

1 and -1 to different powers.

18 = 1 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 1 ⋅ 1 = 1

Indicates how many times you are going to multiply the number

10 = 1
1 ⋅ 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 1
(−1)0 = 1
(−1)1 = (−1) ⋅ 1 = −1
Exponent Properties

Sign of expressions challenge problems.

e.g., questions :-
𝑠67 𝑠
What is the sign of ⋅ (3𝑠 ⋅ ) when s < 0 and t > 0
𝑡9 4𝑡

Method :
Step 1.
Since s is smaller than zero we can take as a negative numeral, and
since t is greater than zero with can take it as a positive number
Step 2.
𝑠 67
now we know s is a negative numeral and t is a positive
𝑡9
numeral, and the exponent on s is odd when can take it as a negative
number, and since t is positive and the exponent is positive it will be
positive. So negative divided by positive is negative, the first step will
be.
𝑠
(𝑛𝑒𝑔) ∙ (3𝑠 ∙ )
4𝑡

Step 3.
𝑠
(3𝑠 ∙ ) again s is still negative so positive times a negative will be a
4𝑡
negative, t is a positive so positive times a positive is a positive but with
s being a negative, when divided becomes a negative, but negative
times negative is a positive.
(𝑛𝑒𝑔) ∙ (𝑛𝑒𝑔 ∙ 𝑛𝑒𝑔)
(pos)
Step 4. (answer)
Since now its is negative times positive the answer will the
negative sign (-).
(𝑛𝑒𝑔) ∙ (𝑝𝑜𝑠) = ( − ).