Unit 5 - Exponent Rules

Summary of Knowledge:

Students at the end of this section should know how to do many problems that involve multiplying and dividing exponents. They should also learn the riles of a power of a power, and the power of a product or quotient property. Finally, the students should learn the anything to the exponent of 0 is 1.

Key Vocabulary:
Exponent: The power to which a given number or expression is raised.
Base: It is the number or expression that is raised to the exponent.
Task Analysis:
1)Product of power property

1. Make sure the numbers have the same base
2. Add the exponents
3. Check answer
4. General form: x^n*x^m=x^m+^n
5. Example:3^4*3^6=3^4+^6=3^10

2) Power of a power property

1. Make sure that there is a power over a power
2. Multiply the exponents
   
3. Check answer
4. General form: (x^m)^n=x^n*^m
   
5. Example: (5^4)^3=5^4*^3=5^12

3) Quotient of a power property

1. Make sure they have the same base
2. Subtract the exponents
3. Check answer
4. General form: x^m/x^n=x^n-^m
5. Example: 3^5/3^2=3^5-^2= 3^3

4) Power of a product or quotient property

1. Make sure it is a problem in parentheses with an exponent outside.
2. Distribute the exponent to the numbers that are inside.
3. Check answer
4. General form: (x/y)^m=x^m/y^m
5. Example: (6*5)^2=6^2*5^2

Quiz

Videos

Exponent Rules Quiz » online quizzes

Videos:

Useful links

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/exponent.htm

http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Algebra_ExponentsRules.xml