Learning Objective(s)

·Use the product rule to multiply exponential expressions with like bases.

·Use the power rule to raise powers to powers.

·Use the quotient rule to divide exponential expressions with like bases.

·Simplify expressions using a combination of the properties.


Introduction

Exponential notation was developed to write repeated multiplication more efficiently. There are times when it is easier to leave the expressions in exponential notation when multiplying or dividing. Let's look at rules that will allow you to do this.


The Product Rule for Exponents

Recall that exponents are a way of representing repeated multiplication. For example, the notation 54 can be expanded and written as 5 • 5 • 5 • 5, or 625. And don't forget, the exponent only applies to the number immediately to its left, unless there are parentheses.


What happens if you multiply two numbers in exponential form with the same base? Consider the expression (23)(24). Expanding each exponent, this can be rewritten as (2  2  2) (2  2  2  2) or  2  2  2  2  2  2  2. In exponential form, you would write the product as 27


Notice, 7 is the sum of the original two exponents, 3 and 4.


What about (x2)(x6)? This can be written as (x • x)(x • x • x • x • x • x) = x • x • x • x • x • x • x • x  or x8. And, once again, 8 is the sum of the original two exponents.


The Product Rule for Exponents

For any number x and any integers a and b(xa)(xb) = xa+b.


To multiply exponential terms with the same base, simply add the exponents.


Example

Problem

Simplify.

(a3)(a7)

(a3)(a7)

The base of both exponents is a, so the product rule applies.

a3+7

Add the exponents with a common base.

Answer

(a3)(a7) = a10


When multiplying more complicated terms, multiply the coefficients and then multiply the variables.


Example

Problem

Simplify.

5a4 · 7a6

35 · a· a6

Multiply the coefficients.

35 · a4+6

The base of both exponents is a, so the product rule applies. Add the exponents.

35 · a10

Add the exponents with a common base.

Answer

5a4 · 7a6 = 35a10


Simplify the expression, keeping the answer in exponential notation.

(4x5)( 2x8)

A) 8x5 • x8

B) 6x13

C) 8x13

D) 8x40


The Power Rule for Exponents

Let's simplify (52)4. In this case, the base is5and the exponent is 4, so you multiply 5four times: (52) = 55552 = 5(using the Product Rule - add the exponents).


(52)4  is a power of a power. It is the fourth power of 5 to the second power. And we saw above that the answer is 58Notice that the new exponent is the same as the product of the original exponents: 2 4 = 8.


So, (52)4  = 54 =  5(which equals 390,625, if you do the multiplication).


Likewise, (x4)3 = x• 3 = x12.


This leads to another rule for exponents--the Power Rule for ExponentsTo simplify a power of a power, you multiply the exponents, keeping the base the same. For example, (23)5 = 215.


The Power Rule for Exponents

For any positive number x and integers a and b: (xa)bxa· b.


Example

Problem

Simplify.

6(c4)2

6(c4)2

Since you are raising a power to a power, apply the Power Rule and multiply exponents to simplify. The coefficient remains unchanged because it is outside of the parentheses.

Answer

6(c4)= 6c8


Example

Problem

Simplify.

a2(a5)3

Raise a5 to the power of 3 by multiplying the exponents together (the Power Rule).

Since the exponents share the same base, a, they can be combined (the Product Rule).

Answer


Simplify: 

A) 

B) 

C) 

D) 


The Quotient Rule for Exponents

Let's look at dividing terms containing exponential expressions. What happens if you divide two numbers in exponential form with the same base? Consider the following expression.

You can rewrite the expression as: . Then you can cancel the common factors of 4 in the numerator and denominator: 

Finally, this expression can be rewritten as 43 using exponential notation. Notice that the exponent, 3, is the difference between the two exponents in the original expression, 5 and 2.


So,  = 45-2 = 43.

Be careful that you subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator.


or

  = x79 = x-2

So, to divide two exponential terms with the same base, subtract the exponents.


The Quotient Rule for Exponents

For any non-zero number x and any integers a and b


Notice that  = 40. And we know that   =  = 1. So this may help to explain why 4= 1.


Example

Problem

Evaluate.  

These two exponents have the same base, 4. According to the Quotient Rule, you can subtract the power in the denominator from the power in the numerator.

Answer

 = 45


When dividing terms that also contain coefficients, divide the coefficients and then divide variable powers with the same base by subtracting the exponents.


Example

Problem

Simplify. 

Separate into numerical and variable factors.

Since the bases of the exponents are the same, you can apply the Quotient Rule. Divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents of matching variables.

Answer

=


Applying the Rules

All of these rules of exponents--the Product Rule, the Power Rule, and the Quotient Rule--are helpful when evaluating expressions with common bases.


Example

Problem

Evaluate  when x = 4.

Separate into numerical and variable factors.

Divide coefficients, and subtract the exponents of the variables.

Simplify.

Substitute the value 4 for the variable x.

Answer

 = 768


Usually, it is easier to simplify the expression before substituting any values for your variables, but you will get the same answer either way.


Example

Problem

Simplify. 

Use the order of operations with PEMDAS:

E: Evaluate exponents. Use the Power Rule to simplify (a5)3.

M: Multiply, using the Product Rule as the bases are the same.

D: Divide using the Quotient Rule.

Answer

 = 


Summary

There are rules that help when multiplying and dividing exponential expressions with the same base. To multiply two exponential terms with the same base, add their exponents. To raise a power to a power, multiply the exponents. To divide two exponential terms with the same base, subtract the exponents.


Permissions

This reading is taken from the Developmental Math Open Program created by The NROC Project. It is available under a Creative Commons license. 

Modifié le: jeudi 25 août 2016, 09:45