TESTING FOR RULES

TASK 1 Explore rules using a calculator

1 Use a calculator to answer these questions.

a Does 42 + 43 equal 45? b Does 36 – 34 equal 32 ?

2 Look at your answers to question 1 and then complete this sentence by crossing out one word.
When adding or subtracting numbers with the same base, you can/cannot add or subtract their
powers.

3 Use a calculator to answer these questions.

a Does 42 × 46 equal 48 or 412? b Does 27 × 23 equal 221 or 210?

4 Look at your answers to question 3 and then complete this sentence by crossing out one word.
When multiplying numbers with the same base, add/multiply their powers.

5 Use a calculator to answer these questions.

a Does 38 ÷ 32 equal 34 or 36? b Does 610 ÷ 62 equal 68 or 65?

6 Look at your answers to question 5 and then complete this sentence by crossing out one word.
When dividing numbers with the same base, divide/subtract their powers.
 7 Use a calculator to answer these questions.

a Is 73 × 72 equal to 495 or 75? b Is 106 ÷ 102 equal to 14 or 104?

8 Look at your answers to question 7 and then complete this sentence.

When multiplying or dividing numbers with the same base, the base will stay the same/change
in the answer.

9 Use a calculator to answer these questions.

a Does 32 × 53 equal 155? b Does 185 ÷ 93 equal 22?

10 Look at your answer to question (9) above and then complete this sentence.
When the numbers have different bases, you can/cannot collect their powers.

TASK 2 The power of zero

a Follow the number patterns to complete the tables below.

b What do you predict 80 is equal to as a number? ___________

(Use the power button on your calculator to check by entering 80.)

c Complete this sentence:

A number raised to the power of zero equals ___________.

d Now check a special case.

Enter 00 into your calculator. What do you get? ___________
Discuss your findings with the class.