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8th grade
Course: 8th grade > Unit 1
Lesson 6: Exponent properties introExponent properties review
CCSS.Math:
Review the common properties of exponents that allow us to rewrite powers in different ways. For example, x²⋅x³ can be written as x⁵.
| Property | Example |
|---|---|
| x, start superscript, n, end superscript, dot, x, start superscript, m, end superscript, equals, x, start superscript, n, plus, m, end superscript | 2, cubed, dot, 2, start superscript, 5, end superscript, equals, 2, start superscript, 8, end superscript |
| start fraction, x, start superscript, n, end superscript, divided by, x, start superscript, m, end superscript, end fraction, equals, x, start superscript, n, minus, m, end superscript | start fraction, 3, start superscript, 8, end superscript, divided by, 3, squared, end fraction, equals, 3, start superscript, 6, end superscript |
| left parenthesis, x, start superscript, n, end superscript, right parenthesis, start superscript, m, end superscript, equals, x, start superscript, n, dot, m, end superscript | left parenthesis, 5, start superscript, 4, end superscript, right parenthesis, cubed, equals, 5, start superscript, 12, end superscript |
| left parenthesis, x, dot, y, right parenthesis, start superscript, n, end superscript, equals, x, start superscript, n, end superscript, dot, y, start superscript, n, end superscript | left parenthesis, 3, dot, 5, right parenthesis, start superscript, 7, end superscript, equals, 3, start superscript, 7, end superscript, dot, 5, start superscript, 7, end superscript |
| left parenthesis, start fraction, x, divided by, y, end fraction, right parenthesis, start superscript, n, end superscript, equals, start fraction, x, start superscript, n, end superscript, divided by, y, start superscript, n, end superscript, end fraction | left parenthesis, start fraction, 2, divided by, 3, end fraction, right parenthesis, start superscript, 5, end superscript, equals, start fraction, 2, start superscript, 5, end superscript, divided by, 3, start superscript, 5, end superscript, end fraction |
Want to learn more about these properties? Check out this video and this video.
Product of powers
This property states that when multiplying two powers with the same base, we add the exponents.
Example
Practice
Want to try more problems like these? Check out this exercise.
Quotient of powers
This property states that when dividing two powers with the same base, we subtract the exponents.
Example
Practice
Want to try more problems like these? Check out this exercise.
Power of a power property
This property states that to find a power of a power we multiply the exponents.
Example
Practice
Want to try more problems like these? Check out this exercise.
Power of a product
This property states that when taking the power of a product, we multiply the powers of the factors.
Example
Practice
Want to try more problems like these? Check out this exercise.
Power of a quotient
This property states that when taking the power of a quotient, we divide the powers of the numerator and of the denominator.
Example
Practice
Want to try more problems like these? Check out this exercise.
Want to join the conversation?
I'm confused by the fact that all exponents to the 0th power equals 1. Why is this? Shouldn't the answer be zero instead?(24 votes)
When you look at it, not really. Let's pick a small number: 2
2 to the power of 4=16
2 to the power of 3=8
2 to the power of 2=4
2 to the power of 1=2
Now when you look at these numbers, you should notice a pattern. 8/2=4, and 4/2=2. Now 2 divided by 2 would give us the answer to 2 to the power of 0, which is equal to 1.
Hope that you understand now. Good luck!!(136 votes)
What's 0 to the 0th power ?(27 votes)
Well it will be undefined. See this case
2^3=2*2*2 =8
2^2=2*2 =4
2^1=2 =2
2^0=1
The reason we get 2^0 is because for every 2^{n-1}, we are dividing the 2^n by 2, for example to get value of 2^0, we are dividing the 2^1=2 by the 2. The result is therefor 1.
But in case of 0, we will be dividing the 0 by the 0. Because 0^1=0 and then we will be diving by our base (which is 0), the result will be 0/0, which is undefined.
I hope you got my point.
Have a nice day.(22 votes)
who added letters in math i would like to have a conversation with them please(31 votes)
François Viète is the person you should speak to about adding numbers to math.
At the end of the 16th century, François Viète introduced the idea of representing known and unknown numbers by letters, nowadays called variables, and the idea of computing with them as if they were numbers—in order to obtain the result by a simple replacement.(8 votes)
Can an exponent have an exponent?(21 votes)
Of course! It's mostly seen in this form, though: (4^2)^3 where there is one exponent inside the parenthesis then outside the parenthesis there's another exponent, which applies to all parts inside the parenthesis, including the exponent inside.(20 votes)
- i wish we can go back to 1+1 and 2+2(21 votes)
- If you still using them don’t worry but to survive in this digital era and going to Mars you will need those more complicated mathematical expressions and equations to solve your everyday problems and you may solve one of the world problems one day you never know. My humble advice to anyone who is taking mathematics is to start from beginning and build up at your own pace so you can perceive it better and have as many examples as possible also research what you can't understand and try to solve as many problems as you can(4 votes)
Is there an answer to x^3 without "x" being part of the answer?(6 votes)
The only way you can get an answer for x^3 without have "x" be part of the answer is if you know the value of "x". For example, if someone says x=4, then we can find x^3.
x^3 = 4^3 = 64. Otherwise, you are stuck with the "x".(12 votes)
can an exponent have an exponent(6 votes)
Of course! It's mostly seen in this form, though: (4^2)^3 where there is one exponent inside the parenthesis then outside the parenthesis there's another exponent, which applies to all parts inside the parenthesis, including the exponent inside.(5 votes)
- I'm confused by the fact that all exponents to the 0th power equals 1. Why is this? Shouldn't the answer be zero instead?(4 votes)
When you look at it, not really. Lets pick a small number:2.
2 to the power of 4=16
2 to the power of 3=8
2 to the power of 2=4
2 to the power of 1=2
Now when you look at these numbers, you should notice a pattern. 8/2=4 4/2=2 now two divided by two would give us the answer to 2 to the power of 0 which is equal to 1.(8 votes)
- How would you solve: x^-7/8y^2 (times ) 8/ x^8y^-2?(6 votes)
- 1) a^2 x a^3 = a^2+3.
2) a^2 x b^2 = axb^2
I got the both rules, but i question is what if both the Base as well as exponent are same like ( a^3 x a^3 = ?) do we apply both rule or just one rule takes precedence and another rule wont apply.(4 votes)
The rules give you equivalent answers (which is a good thing!).
Applying your first rule:
a^3 x a^3 = a^(3+3) = a^6
Applying your second rule:
a^3 x a^3 = (a^3)^2 = a^(3 x 2) = a^6(5 votes)
