Exponents

Definition of a : If n is any positive integer and a is any real number, a = a · a · a · a · · · · a

where the factor a occurs n times.

Definition of a : For any nonzero real number a, a = 1.

Definition of a : If a is a nonzero real number and n is any integer, then a =

Definition of a : If n is an even positive integer, and if a>0, then a is the positive real

number whose nth power is a. That is, (a ) = a.

If n is an odd positive integer, and if a is any real number, then a is

the positive or negative real number whose nth power is a. That is,

(a ) = a.

Definition of a : For all integers m, all positive integers n, and all real numbers a for

which a is a real number, a = (a )

 Example

Evaluate: a) 3 b) -2 c) (-5) d) (7x) e) -9 f) (-5) g) 2 h) 81

i) (-32)

Solution:

a) 3 = 3·3·3·3 = 81

b) -2 = -2·2·2·2·2·2 = -64
c) (-5) = (-5)(-5)(-5) = -125

d) (7x) = 1

e) -9 = -1

f) (-5) = = =

g) 2 = = =

h) 81 = (81 ) = 3 = 27 since

i) (-32) = = = = (-32) = -2 since (-2) = -32

Rules of Exponents

For all rational numbers r and s, and for all positive numbers a and b:

Example
Use rules of exponents to simplify each expression. Write answers without negative exponents.
Assume that all variables represent nonzero real numbers.

a) b) c)

d) e) f)

Solution:

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)