Exponent Rules

Parts

When a number, variable, or expression is

raised to a power, the number, variable, or
expression is called the base and the power is
called the exponent.

What is an Exponent?

An exponent means that you multiply the base

by itself that many times.
For example

x4 =

xx xx

26 = 2 2 2 2 2 2 = 64

The Invisible Exponent

When an expression does not have a visible

exponent its exponent is understood to be 1.

xx

Exponent Rule #1

When multiplying two expressions with the

same base you add their exponents.

b b b
n

For example
2
4

2 4

nm

x x x x
2
1
2
1 2
3
22 2 2 2 2 8
6

Exponent Rule #1
nm
n
m

b b b

Try it on your own:

3 7

1. h h h h
2
2 1
3
2. 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 27
3

10

Exponent Rule #2

When dividing two expressions with the same

base you subtract their exponents.
n

m
b

For example
4

nm

x
4 2
2

x
2
x

Exponent Rule #2
n
b
nm

Try it on your own:

6

h
6 2
4
3. 2 h h
h
3
3
31
2
4.
3 3 9
3

Exponent Rule #3

When raising a power to a power you

multiply the exponents

(b ) b
n m

nm

For example

(x ) x x
2 2
22
4
(2 ) 2 2 16
2 4

24

Exponent Rule #3
n m
nm

(b ) b

Try it on your own

3 2

5. (h ) h 32 h 6
2 2

6. (3 ) 3

22

3 81
4

Note

When using this rule the exponent can not be

brought in the parenthesis if there is addition
or subtraction

(x 2 ) x 2
2

2 2

You would have to use FOIL in these cases

Exponent Rule #4

When a product is raised to a power, each

piece is raised to the power

(ab) a b

For example

m m

(xy ) x y
2

(2 5) 2 5 4 25 100
2

Exponent Rule #4
m

(ab) a b

m m

Try it on your own

7. (hk ) h k
3

8. (2 3) 2 3 4 9 36
2

Note

This rule is for products only. When using this

rule the exponent can not be brought in the
parenthesis if there is addition or subtraction

( x 2)

x 2
2

You would have to use FOIL in these cases

Exponent Rule #5

When a quotient is raised to a power, both the

numerator and denominator are raised to the
m
power
m

a

b

a
m
b

For example

x

y

x
3
y

Exponent Rule #5
m
m
a
a
m
b
b

Try it on your own

h
9.
k
4
10.
2

h
2
k
2

4
16
4
2
2
4

Zero Exponent

When anything, except 0, is raised to the zero

power it is 1.

a 1
0

For example

x 1
0
25 1
0

( if a 0)

( if x 0)

Zero Exponent
0
( if a 0)

a 1

Try it on your own

11. h 1
0
12. 1000 1
0
13. 0 0
0

( if h 0)

Negative Exponents

1
b n
b
For example
1
2
x 2
x
1
1
2
3 2
3
9
If b 0, then

Negative Exponents

1
b n
b
Try it on your own:
1
3
14. h 3
h
1
1
3
15. 2 3
2
8
If b 0, then

Negative Exponents

The negative exponent basically flips the part

with the negative exponent to the other half of
the fraction.

b
1
2
b
2
b
1
2
2 2x
2
2x
2
x 1
2

Math Manners

For a problem to be completely

simplified there should not be any
negative exponents

Mixed Practice
5

6d
2
59
4
1.

2
d
2d 4
9
3d
d
4

2. 2e 4e 8e

45

8e

3. q

Mixed Practice

4 5

45

20

4. 2lp 2 l p 32l 5 p 5
5

5 5

Mixed Practice
8

x y
( x y)
8 2 4 2
6 2

x
y

5.
x y
2
2 2
( xy )
x y
2

3 5 2

8 2

16

(x )
x
(x x )
169
7

x
6.
x
9
9
9
x
x
x

Mixed Practice
6

4 2

5 6

7. (m n ) (m n p )
12 8
18 12 30
m n m n p
12 18 8 12 30
m
n p
m n p
30

20

30

Mixed Practice

( x 2 y)
6 4
2
8.
( x 2 y)
4 ( x 2 y)
( x 2 y)
6

( x 2 y )( x 2 y )
F O

x 2 xy 2 xy 4 y
2
2
x 4 xy 4 y
2

Mixed Practice
6

ad
6 4 59
2 4
9. 4 9 a d a d
a d
2

a
4
d