LAWS OF EXPONENT
a. Drill/Review
1. Complete the given table
Exponential Base Exponent Expanded Value
form form
24 2 4 (2)(2)(2)(2) 16
33 3 3 3●3●3 27
44 4 4 (4)(4)(4)(4) 256
(2x)5 2x 5 (2x)(2x)(2x)(2x)(2x) 32x5
(3a)4 3a 4 (3a)(3a)(3a)(3a) 81a4
2. Write each of the following in other form.
1. a⋅a⋅a⋅a (exponential form) ans. a4
2. 63 (expanded form) ans. (6)(6)(6)
3. a⋅a⋅a⋅b⋅b (exponential form) ans. a3b2
3 2
4. 2x y (expanded form) ans. 2(x)(x)(x)(y)(y)
5. 3⋅3⋅y⋅z⋅z (exponential form) ans. 3 yz or 9yz
2 2 2
1. PRODUCT LAW OF EXPONENT
If we multiply powers with the same base, we add the exponents. The base remains the same.
In Product of Powers
For any real number a and for any positive integers m and n,
m n m+n
a ⋅a =a
Examples
1. a2 • a3 = a2+3 = a5 or a2 • a3 = (a•a)(a•a•a) = a5
2. 23 • 23 = 23+3 = 26= 64 or 23 • 23 = (2•2•2)(2•2•2) = 26=64
3. b • b2 = b1+2 = b3 or b • b2 = b(b•b) = b3
4. x5y2 • x3y = x5+3y2+1=x8y3
2. QUOTIENT LAW OF EXPONENT
For all integers m and n, and any nonzero number a:
am m−n
n
=a
If m >n , a
m
a 1
n
= n−m
If m <n , a a
m
a
m=n , n =a 0 =1
If a
Examples
a5 a⋅a⋅a⋅a⋅a
=
a2 a⋅a⋅a
a⋅a
=
1
a2
=
1
=a2
We observed that the base from numerator and denominator are the same. What if we subtract the exponents, do we get the same
result as in the first solution we applied? (Note that only powers with same base the exponent can be subtracted)
5
a
3
=a5−3 =a2
a
Another example
a3
1. a6
Solution:
3
a a⋅a⋅a 1 1
= = = 3
a6 a⋅a⋅a⋅a⋅a⋅a a⋅a⋅a a
So,
3
a 1
= a3−6= a−3 = 3
a6 a
= 1 =1
a6-3 a3
If we obtained a negative exponent, write 1 as the numerator and the obtained expression with positive exponent as numerator.
3
a
2. a3
Solution:
a3 a⋅a⋅a
= =1
a3 a⋅a⋅a
So,
3
a
3
=a3−3 =a0 =1
a
Note: Every real number with zero exponent is 1
3. POWER OF A POWER
m n mn
For any real number a and any positive integers m and n, (a ) =a
Examples
1. (a2)3 = a2(3) = a6
2. (b3)5 = b3(5) = b15
3. (23)2 = 23(2) = 26 or 26 = 2 •2 •2 •2 •2 •2 = 64
4. POWER OF A PRODUCT
For all real numbers a and b and any positive integers m ,n, and p .
m n p
( a b ) =amp b np
For all real numbers a and b and any positive integer m .
m m m
( ab ) =a b
Examples
1.
( xy )3 =x1⋅3 y 1⋅3 =x 3 y 3
2.
( 4 xy )2 =41⋅2 x 1⋅2 y 1⋅2 =42 x 2 y 2 =16 x 2 y 2
4
3.
( a 2 b3 ) =a 2⋅4 b 3⋅4=a 8 b12
5. POWER OF A QUOTIENT
For all real numbers a and b, b≠0 and for any positive integer m, n, and p.
( ab ) = ba
m m
( )
p
am a mp
= np
bn b
Examples
What is the expand form of this expression?/Can you transform the given expression without exponent?
( )
2 4 2 2 2 2 8
a a a a a a
3
= 3⋅ 3⋅ 3⋅ 3 = 12
b b b b b b
a2(4) = a8 =
b3(4) b12
8
a
Based on the given problem, is there a short solution to get 12
?
b
Another examples
()
3 1×3 3
a a a
= 1×3 = 3
1.
b b b
( )
5
a2 a2×5 a10
= =
2.
b3 b 3×5 b 15
MULTIPLICATION OF MONOMIALS
Find the product.
1. (2x4y3)(5x5y2) = 2(5)x4+5y3+2 = 10x9y5
2. (3ab)(4bc) =3(4)ab1+1c =12ab2c
3. (2a3b)(3b3c)(4abc) = 2(3)(4)a3+1b1+3+1c1+1 =24a4b5c2
4. (2m)(3m3 + 5m2 + m)= 2m(3m3) + 2m(5m2) + 2m(m) =6m4 + 10m3 + 2m2
DIVISION OF MONOMIALS
Find the quotient.
1. 10m4n5 = 5m4-1n5-2 =5m3n3
2mn2
2. 25x3y2 = 5y2-1 = 5y
5x7y x7-3 x4
