Properties of Exponents Chapter 4.

01
Name of Property
Example
Explanation
Zero Exponent Property
x0 = 1
(x ? 0)
Any number (except 0) with an exponent of 0 equals 1.
Negative Exponent Property
x-n =
1
xn
(x ? 0)
Any number raised to a negative power is equivalent to the reciprocal of the po
sitive exponent of the number.
Product of Powers Property
xn xm = xn+m
(x ? 0)
To multiply two powers with the same base, add the exponents.
Quotient of Powers Property
xn
xm
= xn-m
(x ? 0)
To divide two powers with the same base, subtract the exponents.
Power of a Product Property
(xy)n=xn yn
(x and y ? 0)
To find a power of a product, find the power of each factor and then multiply.
Power of a Quotient Property
(
x
y
)n=
xn
yn
(x and y ? 0)

To find a power of a quotient, find the power of each part of the quotient, and
then divide by canceling common factors.
Power of a Power Property
(xa)b = xa b
(x ? 0)
To find a power of a power, multiply the exponents.
Rational Exponent Property
x
1
n
= nvx
x
m
n
= nvxm
(x ? 0)
Fractional powers, where a number is raised to a fraction, can be converted to
a radical. The numerator becomes the exponent, and the denominator becomes the i
ndex of the radical.
Unequal Bases
When working with unequal bases, it may be necessary to rewrite them with common
bases.
The Product of Powers Property and the Quotient of Powers Property will require
the expressions to have the same base.
Chapter 4.02
Rational and Irrational Numbers
The sums and products of two rational numbers are always rational.
The sum of a rational number and an irrational number is always irrational.
The product of a nonzero rational number and an irrational number is always irrat
ional.
The sums and products of two irrational numbers are either rational or irrational
.
Use the greatest perfect square method or prime factorization method to simplif
y a radical.
The greatest perfect square method finds the largest perfect square in the radica
nd. This can then be factored out of the radicand.
The prime factorization method factors the radicand into prime number factors. Pa
irs of factors can be pulled out of the radical.
Addition and Subtraction with Radical Expressions
Simplify each radical term, if possible.
Identify like terms.
Combine the numbers outside the like radicals, and keep the radical part exactly
the same.
When the radicals are not the same, the coefficients outside the radicals cannot
be combined.
Multiplication with Radical Expressions

Multiply values outside the radical.

Multiply values inside the radical.
Simplify where possible.
Note: Remember to apply the Distributive Property when appropriate.
Chapter 4.03
Exponential functions
f(x)=a(b)x, where a is the y-intercept and b is the base of the exponential expre
ssion.
f(x)=P(1+r)x, where P is the principal amount and r is the rate of change in deci
mal form.
Power of a Power Property
A function f(x)=a(b)cx can be represented as f(x)=a(bc)x.
Key Features
The y-intercept of an exponential function is equal to the a or P, depending on t
he form used. It is the starting amount in a real-world scenario.
The domain for mathematical applications is usually all real numbers. However, li
mitations could exist depending on the scenario the question is in.
The range will have a limit as standard exponential functions do not cross the xaxis. Similar to the domain, careful attention must be paid to the range in real
-world scenarios.
The average rate of change is the change in the output of the function over a sec
tion of the domain. Average Rate of Change =
f(b)-f(a)
b-a
4.05
Exponential Growth and Decay
Exponential growth is when the graph is increasing from left to right. The base o
f the exponential expression must be greater than 1.
Exponential decay is when the graph is decreasing from left to right. The base of
the exponential expression must be less than 1.
Comparing Functions
In order to compare functions, focus on the key features available.
Y-intercept
Increasing versus decreasing, growth versus decay
Rate of growth
Average rate of change
Effects on the Graph of a Function
A graph will experience a vertical shift when f(x) + k = P(1 + r)x + k.
value for k will shift the graph up k units.
A negative value for k will shift the graph down k units.
A graph will experience a horizontal shift when f(x + h) = P(1 + r)x + h.
ve value for h will shift the graph to the left h units.
A negative value for h will shift the graph to the right h units.

A positive

A positi

A graph will be reflected over the y-axis when f(-x) = P(1 + r)-x.
4.06
Sequences are functions. The domain is a subset of integers, and the range is th
e sequence of numbers. Sequences can be written with explicit or recursive formu

las. To generate the sequence, just input integer values into the formula and fo
llow the function rule:
Explicit formulas can generate any term in a sequence just by inputting the term
number. This is the same as evaluating any other function you learned about. Exa
mple: f(n) = 6n
Recursive formulas generate terms one at a time by relating the term to one or mo
re previous terms. Example: f(1) = 6, f(n) = f(1) + f(n - 1), n > 1
Arithmetic Sequences
A list of numbers, called terms, which share a common difference.
Example: -5, -7, -9, -11 ... or 8, 23, 38, 53 ...
The arithmetic recursive formula finds each term based on the previous term.
f(n) = f(n - 1) + d, where n > 0
The arithmetic explicit formula finds each term based on the first term and numbe
r of terms.
f(n) = f(1) + d(n - 1), where n > 0
The common difference of an arithmetic sequence is the same as the slope of the c
orresponding linear function.
Geometric Sequences
A list of numbers, called terms, which share a common ratio.
Example: 1, 4, 16 ... or 2, -6, 18 ...
The geometric recursive formula finds each term based on the previous term.
f(n) = f(n - 1)

r, where n > 0

The geometric explicit formula finds each term based on the first term and number
of terms.
f(n) = f(1)

rn-1, where n > 0

4.07
Parameters of Linear Functions, f(x)=mx+b
The x-variable will always represent the aspect that is changing in the situation
.
The f(x) will always represent the aspect that changes because of the change in t
he x-variable.
The slope (m) will connect to the rate of change for the x-variable.
The y-intercept (b) will represent a value that exists when x = 0.
Parameters of Exponential Functions, f(x)=P(1+r)x
The x-variable will always represent the aspect that is changing in the situation
.
The f(x) will always represent the aspect that changes because of the change in t
he x-variable.
The P is the principal. This is the starting value, or y-intercept, when x = 0.
The r is the rate of change. Remember that if the rate is a percentage, the r wil
l be the decimal equivalent.
Exponential and Linear Growth
An exponential growth function will always exceed a linear function eventually.
As the x-values continue to get larger, the rate of change for the exponential fu
nction continues to increase, while the linear function's rate of change is cons
tant.
Creating Exponential Functions from Data Points

Given two input-output pairs, it is possible to create the exponential function t

hat contains those points. Find the number of times the base is multiplied.
Use the properties of exponents to solve for the base.
Use either point and the base in the function f(x)=a(b)x to solve for the coeffic
ient.