All About Exponents

D​uring our elementary days, we already encountered fractions.

On those times, it was easy for some students while for some, it was
still confusing. But what if these fractions became an exponent? How
will we be able to solve it? First, let us define what is an exponent.
These are numbers or symbols that is written above and at the right
side of the number that indicates how many times you will multiply
the number by itself. For example, the given number is 2 raised to
1/2. 1/2 in the example is called a rational exponent. When we say
rational numbers, they are real numbers that can be written in the
form of a/b. They can also be whole numbers, fractions, mixed
numbers and decimals. Now that we know what is a rational
exponent, let's try to learn how to solve a number with a rational
exponent. To solve it, it can be written using the radicals. The
number outside the radical sign is called an index. How did it formula (n/a)m wherein you will get the nth root of the radical before
became like that? Example, we had a given, 5 raised to 1/4. 5 will be multiplying itself which is indicated by the exponent. Any of these
placed inside the radical sign. The denominator in the fraction two are applicable but it also depends on us and the given on what
represents the index, while the numerator is placed as an exponent would be the easier method to use. The same procedure also applies
of the radical. There's a rule that if the value of the radical is if the rational exponents are negative. The only difference is that the
negative, it can be called as an imaginary. But, it depends on the number raised by the negative rational exponent moves at the
value of index or the denominator of the exponent. If the index is an bottom or becomes the denominator then the negative rational
even number such as 2,4,6 and so on, the outcome is negative so it is exponent becomes positive. 1 becomes the numerator in the
an imaginary number. But if the index is an odd number such as equation. Then, continue doing the procedure just like how we solve
3,5,7 and so on, the outcome will be positive, it is not an imaginary. for positive rational exponents. That is how we solve for numbers
There are two possible ways to solve this. First, we can use the having rational exponents. At first, it may look hard just by looking
formula n/am. You can make the value of the radical bigger first by at the fractions as an exponent. But it was easy to learn if we'll
multiplying it on itself based on the number of times the exponent follow the rules! Just like in life, there are challenges that we may
indicates. Then, get the nth root (square root, cube root, fourth root, encounter, it may be hard but, if we will do it little by little or take
etc.) which is indicated by the index. The other way is by using the one step at a time, we will be able to solve it!
We have three exponents: negative, positive and zero. In positive
exponent is where you’ll multiply the base by itself depending on the
exponent given, you example you have 3^4 (three raised to the fourth
power) you’ll multiply the 3 by itself 4 times or 3x3x3x3=81, let’s
now move on to the negative exponents, in this process you have to
get rid of the negative sign on the exponent there are many ways to Zero Exponents:
get rid of it but the easiest method to get rid of it is by putting it into
a fraction with the numerator 1 and for the denominator you just
have to copy given base but instead of writing it with a negative sign
the exponent will be positive now, in this step the exponent will
automatically be positive then multiply the given base with the given
exponent example, you have 5^-3 (five raised to negative three) the
first step is to make it into a fraction form so 1/5^3 now that you
have a positive exponent we’ll multiply the 5 three times or
5x5x5=125 so the final answer is 1/125, moving on to the last
exponent which is the zero exponent this one is the easiest exponent
because any number (except 0 since it will become undefined) that is
raised to 0 will always be one, no matter how big and small the
number is the answer will always be one.

Positive Exponents: Negative Exponents:


Exponents are mathematical equations involving two numbers for
example b² b is the base and ² is the exponent, you need to multiply
the base by itself depending on the given value of the exponent.
numerator you'll make 1 as a numerator and then the denominator
will not change, then you should subtract the higher exponent to the
lower one, for example b^4/b^5 = 1/b^5 - ^4 with that, you should be
able to get the answer. Next is similar to the product to a power, the
quotient to a power, when the coefficients given has a parenthesis
and there is an exponent outside, all you have to do is to distribute
the given exponent to each of the coefficients inside the parenthesis,
for example (7/9)^8 = 7^8 9^8. Now for the last rule is the power of
a power is when you have a coefficient and an exponent inside a
parenthesis and there is another exponent outside the parenthesis,
you just need to multiply the exponents inside and outside and the
coefficient will still remain the same, for example (8^9)^2 = 8^18.
That is all the rules and the 5 laws of exponents.
Product Rule: Product to a Power:

Now there are 5 laws of exponents, each one is different ; product

rule, product to a power, quotient rule, quotient to power and the
last, power of a power. Now let's start with the product rule, product
rule is when you multiply two same numbers with different
exponents , all you have to do is to add the exponents with the same
bases, the base will still remain the same you just need to get the sum
of the two exponents, for example b²·b³ = b²+³ = b^5. Next rule is Power of a Power:
product to power, when you multiply two numbers inside a
parenthesis and there is an exponent outside the parentheses, all you
have to do is to distribute the exponent outside of the parenthesis to
each coefficient inside it, for example is (hs)^7 = h^7 s^7.Now lets
move on, the next law is the quotient rule, it is only applied when the
value of the numerator and the denominator is the same, now there
are two conditions in this law, when the exponent of the numerator
has a larger value than the denominator's you just need to subtract
the exponents, for example, 9^7/9^2 = 9^7-^2. The next condition is Quotient To Power:
when the denominator's exponent has a larger value than the
Quotient Rule: