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Integer Exponents

In this topic, we learn to evaluate expressions with negative exponents and to evaluate the zero exponent

Topic: Pattern to Evaluate Negative Exponents

  • When an exponent is negative, you can use a table and look for a pattern to evaluate the exponent

  • Looking at the table, identify the pattern and make a conjecture

  • When the exponent of the base decreases by 1, the value of the power is divided by the base

Topic: Evaluate Negative Exponents

  • Any nonzero number raised to the zero power is 1.
    For example, 30 = 1 and (-16)0 = 1

  • A nonzero number raised to a negative exponent is equal to 1 divided by that number raised to the opposite (positive) exponent.
    For example, 3-2 = 1/32 and 2-5 = 1/25

Topic: Simplify Expressions With Negative Exponents

  • Any nonzero number raised to the zero power is 1.
    For example, 30 = 1 and (-16)0 = 1

  • A nonzero number raised to a negative exponent is equal to 1 divided by that number raised to the opposite (positive) exponent.
    For example, 3-2 = 1/ 32 and 2-5 = 1/25

  • If a base with a negative exponent is in a denominator, it is equivalent to the same base with the opposite (positive) exponent in the numerator
    For example, 1/3-2 = 32

  • An expression that contains negative or zero exponents is not considered to be simplified. Expressions should be rewritten with only positive exponents
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