Simple Properties of Exponents with Multiplying and Dividing

By L.D.

Problem 1
25 x 23

Problem 1
25 x 23 Most might say the answer is 415. What the problem really looks like is this though, is this; 25 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 23 = 2 x 2 x 2 So since we have eight twos and an exponent shows how many times your base number (2) is multiplied our answer is 28. You can multiply it now, I will use a calculator and I got 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2x 2 x 2 x 2 = 256. Most teachers will just let you leave it at 28.

Problem 1
25 x 23 Another way to get your answer is just to add the exponents. You will get the same answer as if you did it the other way though, 28.

Example Problems
1. z3 x z4 x z6 2. 4 x 42 x 42 3. 38 x 32

Example Problems
1. z3 x z4 x z6 2. 4 x 42 x 42 3. 38 x 32 1. z13 2. 45 3. 310

Problem 2
1. (25)3

Problem 2
1. (55)3 This one is a bit different from the last ones, you are multiplying the already there exponents, so it is basically (5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5) multiplied by three, making your answer (5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 x 5) or 515.

Example Problems
1. (w6)2 2. ((-26)2)3 3. (5)4

Example Problems
1. (w6)2 2. ((-26)2)3 3. (5)4 1. w12 2. (-2)36 3. 54

Mini Lesson
When you get a problem like (3)4, instead of it being -212, it 2 12 will always be (-2)

Problem 3
1. 23 2

Problem 3
1. 23 2 Now, like the first one we have to put it into a natural form. (2 x 2 x 2) 2 Since we are taking away one of the twos we have 22 leftover.

Problem 3
1. 23 2 The simple way to do this is to minus the exponents, you will get 22.

Example Problems
1. 45 44 2. (-4)2 (-4) 3. 32 3

Example Problems
1. 45 44 2. (-4)2 (-4) 3. 33 3 1. 4 2. (-4) 3. 32

Problem 4
1. (2cy4)3

Problem 4
1. (2cy4)3 Now, we need to remember that the problem inside is actually 2 x c x y4 so when we are bringing the exponent in it turns into; 23c3y12

Example Problems
1. (2z15)2 2. (27c2z4)3 3. (2cysfdfgfg)3

Example Problems
1. (2z15)2 2. (27c2z4)3 3. (2cysfdfgfg)3 1. 22z30 2. 221c6z12 3. The answer is not 23c3y3s3f3d3f3g3f3g3 but rather it is 23c3y3s3f9d3g6 since we combine the ones that have the same base together.

Problem 5
1. (2y7/y5)5

Problem 5
1. (2y7/y5)5 To get our answer we go through two steps. First we distribute to get 25y35/y25, then we go to our next step and divide to get 25y10.

Example Problems
1. (3/8)5 (35/85) 2. (2y7/y5)3 3. y4 x (3c3y)2 4. 5w/5w

Example Problems
1. (35/85) (3/8)5 2. 2. (2y7/y5)3 3. y4 x (3c3y)2 4. 5w/5w 1. 1 2. 23y6 3. 32c6y6 4. 1