Download Zero_and_Negative_ExponentsWilliams

Powers with zero exponents:
Powers with negative exponents:
Let a be a nonzero number and let n be a positive integer.
A nonzero number to the nonzero power is 1.
Let a be a nonzero number and let n be a positive integer.
a – n is the reciprocal of a n .
a 0  1, a  0
a n 
Examples:
1
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Examples:
 20  1
50  1
0
1
  1
9
Anything to the zero power is equal to 1.
00  undefined
3 2 
1 1

32 9
3-2 is the reciprocal of 32
1
2
  4   4 4  16
2
 4
The base must be a nonzero number.
(-4)2 is the reciprocal of (-4)-2
Evaluating Exponential Expressions
5 4 * 5 4  5 4  4
Use product of powers property
 50
Add the exponents
1
a0 is equal to 1
 3 * 22 

2 
3 2
2
2
3*2
6
 2*2*2*2*2*2
 64
Use power of a power property
Multiply the exponents.
Evaluate power.
1
 3
1
9*4
1

36

2
1
 3 * 22
Use definition of negative exponents.
Use power of a product property.
*2
2
Evaluate powers
Multiply.
an sbl original ‘07