1. Exponents and Polynomials
Chapter 12
Exponents and Polynomials

2. Chapter Sections 12.1 – Exponents
12.2 – Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation
12.3 – Introduction to Polynomials
12.4 – Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
12.5 – Multiplying Polynomials
12.6 – Special Products
12.7 – Dividing Polynomials
Chapter 12 Outline

3. § 12.1
Exponents

4. Exponents
Exponents that are natural numbers are shorthand notation for repeating factors.
34 = 3 • 3 • 3 • 3
3 is the base
4 is the exponent (also called power)
Note by the order of operations that exponents are calculated before other operations.

5. Evaluating Exponential Expressions
Example
Evaluate each of the following expressions. 34
= 3 • 3 • 3 • 3
= 81
(–5)2
= (– 5)(–5)
= 25
–62
= – (6)(6)
= –36
(2 • 4)3
= (2 • 4)(2 • 4)(2 • 4)
= 8 • 8 • 8
= 512
3 • 42
= 3 • 4 • 4
= 48

6. Evaluating Exponential Expressions
Example
Evaluate each of the following expressions.
a.) Find 3x2 when x = 5.
3x2 = 3(5)2
= 3(5 · 5)
= 3 · 25
= 75
b.) Find –2x2 when x = –1.
–2x2 = –2(–1)2
= –2(–1)(–1)
= –2(1)
= –2

7. The Product Rule Example Product Rule (applies to common bases only)
am · an = am+n
Example
Simplify each of the following expressions.
32 · 34
= 32+4
= 36
= 3 · 3 · 3 · 3 · 3 · 3
= 729
x4 · x5
= x4+5
= x9
z3 · z2 · z5
= z3+2+5
= z10
(3y2)(– 4y4)
= 3 · y2 (– 4) · y4
= 3(– 4)(y2 · y4)
= – 12y6

8. The Power Rule Example Power Rule (am)n = amn
Simplify each of the following expressions.
(23)3
= 23·3
= 29
= 512
(x4)2
= x4·2
= x8

9. The Power of a Product Rule
(ab)n = an · bn
Example
Simplify (5x2y)3.
(5x2y)3
= 53 · (x2)3 · y3
= 125x6 y3

10. The Power of a Quotient Rule
Example
Simplify
(5x2y)3
= 53 · (x2)3 · y3
= 125x6 y3

11. The Power of a Quotient Rule
Example
Simplify the following expression.
(Power of product rule)
(Power rule)

12. The Quotient Rule Example Quotient Rule (applies to common bases only)
Simplify the following expression.
Group common bases together

13. Zero Exponent Example Zero exponent a0 = 1, a  0
Note: 00 is undefined.
Example
Simplify each of the following expressions. 50
= 1
(xyz3)0
= x0 · y0 · (z3)0
= 1 · 1 · 1 = 1
–x0
= –(x0)
= – 1

14. Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation
§ 12.2
Negative Exponents and Scientific Notation

15. Negative Exponents Using the quotient rule from section 3.1,
But what does x -2 mean?

16. Negative Exponents
So, in order to extend the quotient rule to cases where the difference of the exponents would give us a negative number we define negative exponents as follows.
If a  0, and n is an integer, then

17. Simplifying Expressions
Example
Simplify by writing each of the following expressions with positive exponents or calculating.
Remember that without parentheses, x is the base for the exponent –4, not 2x

18. Simplifying Expressions
Example
Simplify by writing each of the following expressions with positive exponents or calculating.
Notice the difference in results when the parentheses are included around 3.

19. Simplifying Expressions
Example
Simplify by writing each of the following expressions with positive exponents. 1) 2)
(Note that to convert a power with a negative exponent to one with a positive exponent, you simply switch the power from a numerator to a denominator, or vice versa, and switch the exponent to its positive value.)

20. Summary of Exponent Rules
If m and n are integers and a and b are real numbers, then:
Product Rule for exponents am · an = am+n
Power Rule for exponents (am)n = amn
Power of a Product (ab)n = an · bn
Power of a Quotient
Quotient Rule for exponents
Zero exponent a0 = 1, a  0
Negative exponent

21. Simplifying Expressions
Simplify by writing the following expression with positive exponents or calculating.
Power of a quotient rule
Power of a product rule
Power rule for exponents
Negative exponents
Negative exponents
Quotient rule for exponents

22. Scientific Notation
In many fields of science we encounter very large or very small numbers. Scientific notation is a convenient shorthand for expressing these types of numbers.
A positive number is written in scientific notation if it is written as a product of a number a, where 1  a < 10, and an integer power r of 10.
a  10r

23. Scientific Notation To Write a Number in Scientific Notation
Move the decimal point in the original number to the left or right, so that the new number has a value between 1 and 10.
Count the number of decimal places the decimal point is moved in Step 1.
If the original number is 10 or greater, the count is positive.
If the original number is less than 1, the count is negative.
Multiply the new number in Step 1 by 10 raised to an exponent equal to the count found in Step 2.

24. Scientific Notation Example 4700 4700 = 4.7  103 0.00047
Write each of the following in scientific notation.
Have to move the decimal 3 places to the left, so that the new number has a value between 1 and 10.
4700 1)
Since we moved the decimal 3 places, and the original number was > 10, our count is positive 3.
4700 = 4.7  103
Have to move the decimal 4 places to the right, so that the new number has a value between 1 and 10. 2)
Since we moved the decimal 4 places, and the original number was < 1, our count is negative 4.
= 4.7  10-4

25. Scientific Notation To Write a Scientific Notation Number in
Standard Form
Move the decimal point the same number of spaces as the exponent on 10.
If the exponent is positive, move the decimal point to the right.
If the exponent is negative, move the decimal point to the left.

26. Scientific Notation Example 5.2738  103 5.2738  103 = 5273.8
Write each of the following in standard notation.
 103 1)
Since the exponent is a positive 3, we move the decimal 3 places to the right.
 103 =
6.45  10-5 2)
Since the exponent is a negative 5, we move the decimal 5 places to the left.
 10-5 =

27. Operations with Scientific Notation
Multiplying and dividing with numbers written in scientific notation involves using properties of exponents.
Example
Perform the following operations.
(7.3  10-2)(8.1  105) 1)
= (7.3 · 8.1)  (10-2 · 105)
=  103
= 59,130 2)

28. Introduction to Polynomials
§ 12.3
Introduction to Polynomials

29. Polynomial Vocabulary
Term – a number or a product of a number and variables raised to powers
Coefficient – numerical factor of a term
Constant – term which is only a number
Polynomial is a sum of terms involving variables raised to a whole number exponent, with no variables appearing in any denominator.

30. Polynomial Vocabulary
In the polynomial 7x5 + x2y2 – 4xy + 7
There are 4 terms: 7x5, x2y2, -4xy and 7.
The coefficient of term 7x5 is 7,
of term x2y2 is 1,
of term –4xy is –4 and
of term 7 is 7.
7 is a constant term.

31. Types of Polynomials Monomial is a polynomial with 1 term.
Binomial is a polynomial with 2 terms.
Trinomial is a polynomial with 3 terms.

32. Degrees Degree of a term Degree of a polynomial
To find the degree, take the sum of the exponents on the variables contained in the term.
Degree of a constant is 0.
Degree of the term 5a4b3c is 8 (remember that c can be written as c1).
Degree of a polynomial
To find the degree, take the largest degree of any term of the polynomial.
Degree of 9x3 – 4x2 + 7 is 3.

33. Evaluating Polynomials
Evaluating a polynomial for a particular value involves replacing the value for the variable(s) involved.
Example
Find the value of 2x3 – 3x + 4 when x = 2.
2x3 – 3x + 4
= 2( 2)3 – 3( 2) + 4
= 2( 8)
=  6

34. Combining Like Terms Example
Like terms are terms that contain exactly the same variables raised to exactly the same powers.
Warning!
Only like terms can be combined through addition and subtraction.
Example
Combine like terms to simplify.
x2y + xy – y + 10x2y – 2y + xy
= x2y + 10x2y + xy + xy – y – 2y
(Like terms are grouped together)
= (1 + 10)x2y + (1 + 1)xy + (– 1 – 2)y =
11x2y + 2xy – 3y

35. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
§ 12.4
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

36. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
Adding Polynomials
Combine all the like terms.
Subtracting Polynomials
Change the signs of the terms of the polynomial being subtracted, and then combine all the like terms.

37. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
Example
Add or subtract each of the following, as indicated.
1) (3x – 8) + (4x2 – 3x +3)
= 3x – 8 + 4x2 – 3x + 3
= 4x2 + 3x – 3x – 8 + 3
= 4x2 – 5
2) 4 – (– y – 4)
= 4 + y + 4
= y
= y + 8
3) (– a2 + 1) – (a2 – 3) + (5a2 – 6a + 7)
= – a2 + 1 – a a2 – 6a + 7
= – a2 – a2 + 5a2 – 6a
= 3a2 – 6a + 11

38. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
In the previous examples, after discarding the parentheses, we would rearrange the terms so that like terms were next to each other in the expression.
You can also use a vertical format in arranging your problem, so that like terms are aligned with each other vertically.

39. Multiplying Polynomials
§ 12.5
Multiplying Polynomials

40. Multiplying Polynomials
If all of the polynomials are monomials, use the associative and commutative properties.
If any of the polynomials are not monomials, use the distributive property before the associative and commutative properties. Then combine like terms.

41. Multiplying Polynomials
Example
Multiply each of the following.
1) (3x2)(– 2x)
= (3)(– 2)(x2 · x)
= – 6x3
2) (4x2)(3x2 – 2x + 5)
= (4x2)(3x2) – (4x2)(2x) + (4x2)(5)
(Distributive property)
= 12x4 – 8x3 + 20x2
(Multiply the monomials)
3) (2x – 4)(7x + 5)
= 2x(7x + 5) – 4(7x + 5)
= 14x2 + 10x – 28x – 20
= 14x2 – 18x – 20

42. Multiplying Polynomials
Example
Multiply (3x + 4)2
Remember that a2 = a · a, so (3x + 4)2 = (3x + 4)(3x + 4).
(3x + 4)2 = (3x + 4)(3x + 4)
= (3x)(3x + 4) + 4(3x + 4)
= 9x x + 12x + 16
= 9x x + 16

43. Multiplying Polynomials
Example
Multiply (a + 2)(a3 – 3a2 + 7).
(a + 2)(a3 – 3a2 + 7)
= a(a3 – 3a2 + 7) + 2(a3 – 3a2 + 7)
= a4 – 3a3 + 7a + 2a3 – 6a2 + 14
= a4 – a3 – 6a2 + 7a + 14

44. Multiplying Polynomials
Example
Multiply (3x – 7y)(7x + 2y)
(3x – 7y)(7x + 2y)
= (3x)(7x + 2y) – 7y(7x + 2y)
= 21x2 + 6xy – 49xy + 14y2
= 21x2 – 43xy + 14y2

45. Multiplying Polynomials
Example
Multiply (5x – 2z)2
(5x – 2z)2 = (5x – 2z)(5x – 2z)
= (5x)(5x – 2z) – 2z(5x – 2z)
= 25x2 – 10xz – 10xz + 4z2
= 25x2 – 20xz + 4z2

46. Multiplying Polynomials
Example
Multiply (2x2 + x – 1)(x2 + 3x + 4)
(2x2 + x – 1)(x2 + 3x + 4)
= (2x2)(x2 + 3x + 4) + x(x2 + 3x + 4) – 1(x2 + 3x + 4)
= x4 + 6x3 + 8x2 + x3 + 3x2 + 4x – x2 – 3x – 4
= x4 + 7x3 + 10x2 + x – 4

47. Multiplying Polynomials
You can also use a vertical format in arranging the polynomials to be multiplied.
In this case, as each term of one polynomial is multiplied by a term of the other polynomial, the partial products are aligned so that like terms are together.
This can make it easier to find and combine like terms.

48. § 12.6
Special Products

49. The FOIL Method
When multiplying 2 binomials, the distributive property can be easily remembered as the FOIL method.
F – product of First terms
O – product of Outside terms
I – product of Inside terms
L – product of Last terms

50. Using the FOIL Method Example Multiply (y – 12)(y + 4) (y – 12)(y + 4)
Product of First terms is y2
(y – 12)(y + 4)
Product of Outside terms is 4y
(y – 12)(y + 4)
Product of Inside terms is -12y
(y – 12)(y + 4)
Product of Last terms is -48
F O I L
(y – 12)(y + 4) = y2 + 4y – 12y – 48
= y2 – 8y – 48

51. Using the FOIL Method Example Multiply (2x – 4)(7x + 5) 2x(7x) + 2x(5)
– 4(5) L
(2x – 4)(7x + 5) = O I
= 14x2 + 10x – 28x – 20
= 14x2 – 18x – 20
We multiplied these same two binomials together in the previous section, using a different technique, but arrived at the same product.

52. Special Products
In the process of using the FOIL method on products of certain types of binomials, we see specific patterns that lead to special products.
Squaring a Binomial
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
Multiplying the Sum and Difference of Two Terms
(a + b)(a – b) = a2 – b2

53. Special Products
Although you will arrive at the same results for the special products by using the techniques of this section or last section, memorizing these products can save you some time in multiplying polynomials.

54. § 12.7
Dividing Polynomials

55. Dividing Polynomials Dividing a polynomial by a monomial Example
Divide each term of the polynomial separately by the monomial.
Example

56. Dividing Polynomials
Dividing a polynomial by a polynomial other than a monomial uses a “long division” technique that is similar to the process known as long division in dividing two numbers, which is reviewed on the next slide.

57. Dividing Polynomials We then write our result as Divide 43 into 72.
Multiply 1 times 43.
Subtract 43 from 72.
Bring down 5.
Divide 43 into 295.
Multiply 6 times 43.
Subtract 258 from 295.
Bring down 6.
Divide 43 into 376.
Multiply 8 times 43.
We then write our result as
Subtract 344 from 376.
Nothing to bring down.

58. Dividing Polynomials
As you can see from the previous example, there is a pattern in the long division technique.
Divide
Multiply
Subtract
Bring down
Then repeat these steps until you can’t bring down or divide any longer.
We will incorporate this same repeated technique with dividing polynomials.

59. Dividing Polynomials 15 - 35 - x So our answer is 4x – 5.
Divide 7x into 28x2.
Multiply 4x times 7x+3.
Subtract 28x2 + 12x from 28x2 – 23x.
Bring down – 15. 15 -
Divide 7x into –35x. 35 - x
Multiply – 5 times 7x+3.
Subtract –35x–15 from –35x–15.
Nothing to bring down.
So our answer is 4x – 5.

60. Dividing Polynomials 10 - 8 6 4 7 2 + - x x 14 4 + 8 + 20 - x 70 20 -
Divide 2x into 4x2. 8 6 4 7 2 + - x
Multiply 2x times 2x+7.
Subtract 4x2 + 14x from 4x2 – 6x. x 14 4 2 + 8 +
Bring down 8. 20 - x
Divide 2x into –20x. 70 20 - x
Multiply -10 times 2x+7.
Subtract –20x–70 from –20x+8. 78
Nothing to bring down. + ) 7 2 ( 78 x 10 -
We write our final answer as