LAWS of EXPONENTS

Let m and n be positive

integers and a and b
be real numbers, with
a ≠ 0 and b≠0 when
they are divisors.
Then:
 Product of Powers
• a m • an = a m + n

• x3 • x 5 = x 8

• (3n2)(4n4) = 12n6
Power of a Power

• (am)n = amn

• (x3)5 = x15
Power of a Product
• (ab)m = ambm

• (3n2)3 = 33n6
 Quotient of Powers
If m > n, then
am  an = am-n

x 5  x2 = x 3

(22n6)/(2n4) = 11n2
 Quotient of Powers
If m < n, then
am  an = 1/a|m-n|

x5  x7 = 1/x2

(22n3)/(2n9) = 11
n6
 EXAMPLES
Simplify
24s4t3
32s5
 EXAMPLES
Answer
3t3
4s
 EXAMPLES
Simplify
-12p3q
4p2q2
 EXAMPLES
Answer
-3p
q
Zero and Negative
Exponents
 Definitions
If n is a positive integer
and a ≠ 0
a0= 1
a-n = 1
an
00 is not defined
 Definitions
If n is a positive integer
and a ≠ 0

a-n = 1/an
 EXAMPLES
Simplify:
-2-1a0b-3
 EXAMPLES
Answer:
-1
2b3