1. Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri
5/18/99
Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri

2. Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri
xpxq = x p + q
= x p - q
5/18/99
Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri

3. Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri
xy p = x p y p
x p = x p
y y p
xp q = x pq
5/18/99
Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri

4. Expressions with Exponents
Given an expression with an exponent, such as x p
x is called the base
p is called the exponent
Example: 34
base = 3, exponent = 4
34 = 3 · 3 · 3 · 3 = 81
5/18/99
Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri

5. Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri
More Laws of Exponents
x0 = x  0
x - p = p > 0, x  0
x = or r
5/18/99
Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri

6. Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri
Sample Problems
Example 1:
Example 3:
(2xy4)2 = 4x2y8 =
Example 2:
Example 4:
c-3 (c 4 + 3c3 - 5c)
c c-2
c + 3 -
v v v
5/18/99
Laws of Exponents by Dr. Terri