Exponents

EXPONENTS

Now exponents can be difficult but once you get used to them they are pretty easy.

The exponent of a number shows you how many times the number is to be used in a multiplication. It is written as a small number to the right and above the base number.

The exponent is also called a power or an index. When you raise a number to it's power that's how many times you are multiplying it by.

EX. 8² = 8*8 = 64 so 8² = 64

Anything to the 1^st power is equal to itself

EX. 9¹ = 9

1 to any exponent is always equaled to 1.

EX. 1⁶ = 1*1*1*1*1*1 = 1

Also anything to the zero power is one.

EX. 6⁰ = 1

7³ = 7³

7³/7³ = 1

7^(3-3) = 1

7⁰ = 1

That’s why the bas to the exponent zero is always equaled to 1.

Here are some problems to for you to try out. Simplify (solve)

1. 1⁷

2. 8³

3. 9²

4. 16⁰

5. 34¹

6. 75²

7. 91¹

8. 3²

9. 8⁴

Negative Exponents

Any negative exponent is the reciprocal or the number that cancels the original number out (9 is the reciprocal of 1/9; or 5/6 is the reciprocal of 6/5) and the denominator by the positive of the negative exponent.

EX. 9^-3 =1/9³ = 1/729

Here are some problems to for you to try out. Simplify (solve)

1. 1^-9

2. 3^-4

3. 7^-2

4. 1^-3/4

5. 3^-1/4

6. 2^-1

7. 8^-4

8. 1^-2

9. 6^-1

ANSWERS

Exponents:

1. 1
2. 512
3. 81
4. 1
5. 34
6. 5625
7. 91
8. 9
9. 4096

Negative Exponents:

1. 1
2. 1/81
3. 1/49
4. 4
5. 4/3
6. ½
7. 1/4096
8. 1
9. 1/6

Go to this link for print out worksheet:

file:///Users/ceciliamace/Desktop/Exponents%20Worksheet.htm