Exponents and Radicals Sec. P.2 Exponents and Radicals

Exponents Multiplication a • a • a • a • a (-4)(-4)(-4) n factors of a Exponential form a5 (-4)3 an

an n is the exponent a is the base Read a to the nth power

If you are multiplying two powers that have the same base, you can add the exponents. If two powers with the same base are divided, you can subtract the exponents

Box on p. 15 a-n means a0 = 1 a≠0 (ab)m = ambm (am)n = amn

Scientific Notation Where 1 ≤ c < 10 This means there is exactly one place to the left of the decimal.

Remember If the exponent is positive on the S.N. number the standard number is large. Would move the decimal that many places to the right. If the exponent is negative on the S.N. number the standard number is small. Would move the decimal that many places to the left.