Chapter 3: Powers and Exponents Vocabulary

Coefficient

A coefficient is a number that multiplies an expression.

Example: In 5 4 , the coefficient is 5.
2

Base

The number you multiply by itself in a power.

2
Example: In 8 , the base is 8.

Exponent

The number of times you multiply a base in a power.

Example: In 8 , the exponent is 2.

Power

An expression made up of a base and an exponent

base

exponent
4

power
Reading Powers

There are several ways to read powers. You can read 25 in the following ways:
two to the fifth
two to the exponent five

Exponential form

A shorter way of writing repeated multiplication, using a base and an exponent.

Example: 5 5 5 in exponential form is 53

Factored form

Another term for repeated multiplication is factored form.

Repeated Multiplication
The repeated multiplication of one number.
Example: 5 x 5 x 5

Expanded Form
Numbers written in a way that clearly indicates what each part means.
Expanded form states the value of each digit.
Example: 4 thousands, 0 hundreds, 2 tens, and 6 ones (for 4026).
Standard Form
The way we normally write numbers
Example 1: 4026 instead of 4 thousands, 0 hundreds, 2 tens, and 6 ones.
Example 2: 125 instead of 5

Multiplying Powers

When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents to write the product as a single power.
Example 1: am an am n
Example 2:

(7) 3 (7) 4 7 3 4 7 7

Dividing Powers

When dividing powers with the same base, subtract the exponents to write the quotient as a single power.
Example 1: am an am n
Example 2:

89 8 4 89 4 85

Raising a Power to an Exponent

When a power is raised to an exponent, multiply the exponents to write the expression with a single exponent.
Example 1: am amn
n

Example 2:

2 3

5 23 56

Raising a Product to an Exponent

When a product is raised to an exponent, you can rewrite each factor in the product with the same exponent.
Example 1: ab ambm
m

Example 2:

(9 4) 3 9 3 4 3

Raising a Quotient to an Exponent

When a quotient is raised to an exponent, you can rewrite each number in the quotient with the same exponent.
a

an

Example 1: n , b 0
b
b
3

43
4
Example 2: 3
5
5

* Remember, the denominator cannot be 0!

Raising a Quantity to an Exponent of Zero

When the exponent of the power is 0, the value of the power is 1, if the base is not equal to 0.
Example 1: a0 1, a 0
Example 2:

50 1

Powers with Negative Bases

The exponent applies to whatever is directly below it.
The exponent only applies to the negative sign if it is enclosed in brackets. Otherwise the negative is not
part of the exponents base and the negative applies after the exponent.
Example 1:

(5) 4 (5)(5)(5)(5) 625

2

Example 2: (-2) = (-2)(-2) = 4

whereas

5 4 (5)(5)(5)(5) 625

whereas

-22=-(2)(2)=-4

Order of Operations

The order of operations is

brackets
exponents (powers)
divide and multiply in order from left to right
add and subtract in order from left to right

Evaluate or Calculate
Perform all operations and write your answer in standard form.
Simplify
Do all possible operations, reduce, and leave in exponential form where applicable.