Laws of Exponentiation

 

Exponentiation is an operation (just like addition and multiplication are operations) which means “raising to a power.” When you simplify a mathematical expression that contains exponents, you must complete the operations according to the Order of Operations (BEDMAS).  Exponents are completed before any other operation except those within brackets. 

 

Order of Operations for Exponents: An exponent only affects one symbol (the one right next to it).  If you want the base of an exponent to consist of more than one symbol, then it must be placed in brackets.  For example,  -1² = -1, but (-1)² = +1.  In the first case, the one is squared and then multiplied by a negative.  In the second case, the -1 is squared (i.e. -1 x -1 = +1).

 

 

Exponent Laws

• Multiplication Law      
• Division Law                  
• Power of a Power
• Power of a Product
• Power of a Quotient
• Negative Exponents         
• Zero Exponents , provided x ≠ 0
• (This is the new one!) Rational Exponent Law