<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Simplify expressions with exponents
  • Simplify expressions using the Product Property for Exponents
  • Simplify expressions using the Power Property for Exponents
  • Simplify expressions using the Product to a Power Property
  • Simplify expressions by applying several properties
  • Multiply monomials

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

  1. Simplify: 3 4 · 3 4 .
    If you missed this problem, review [link] .
  2. Simplify: ( −2 ) ( −2 ) ( −2 ) .
    If you missed this problem, review [link] .

Simplify expressions with exponents

Remember that an exponent indicates repeated multiplication of the same quantity. For example, 2 4 means to multiply 2 by itself 4 times, so 2 4 means 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 .

Let’s review the vocabulary for expressions with exponents.

Exponential notation

This figure has two columns. In the left column is a to the m power. The m is labeled in blue as an exponent. The a is labeled in red as the base. In the right column is the text “a to the m power means multiply m factors of a.” Below this is a to the m power equals a times a times a times a, followed by an ellipsis, with “m factors” written below in blue.

This is read a to the m t h power.

In the expression a m , the exponent m tells us how many times we use the base a as a factor.

This figure has two columns. The left column contains 4 cubed. Below this is 4 times 4 times 4, with “3 factors” written below in blue. The right column contains negative 9 to the fifth power. Below this is negative 9 times negative 9 times negative 9 times negative 9 times negative 9, with “5 factors” written below in blue.

Before we begin working with variable expressions containing exponents, let’s simplify a few expressions involving only numbers.

Simplify: 4 3 7 1 ( 5 6 ) 2 ( 0.63 ) 2 .

Solution


4 3 Multiply three factors of 4. 4 · 4 · 4 Simplify. 64


7 1 Multiply one factor of 7. 7


( 5 6 ) 2 Multiply two factors. ( 5 6 ) ( 5 6 ) Simplify. 25 36


( 0.63 ) 2 Multiply two factors. ( 0.63 ) ( 0.63 ) Simplify. 0.3969

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 6 3 15 1 ( 3 7 ) 2 ( 0.43 ) 2 .

216 15 9 49 0.1849

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 2 5 21 1 ( 2 5 ) 3 ( 0.218 ) 2 .

32 21 8 125 0.047524

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: ( −5 ) 4 5 4 .

Solution


  1. ( −5 ) 4 Multiply four factors of −5 . ( −5 ) ( −5 ) ( −5 ) ( −5 ) Simplify. 625


  2. 5 4 Multiply four factors of 5. ( 5 · 5 · 5 · 5 ) Simplify. −625
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: ( −3 ) 4 3 4 .

81 −81

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: ( −13 ) 2 13 2 .

169 −169

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Notice the similarities and differences in [link] and [link] ! Why are the answers different? As we follow the order of operations in part the parentheses tell us to raise the ( −5 ) to the 4 th power. In part we raise just the 5 to the 4 th power and then take the opposite.

Simplify expressions using the product property for exponents

You have seen that when you combine like terms by adding and subtracting, you need to have the same base with the same exponent. But when you multiply and divide, the exponents may be different, and sometimes the bases may be different, too.

We’ll derive the properties of exponents by looking for patterns in several examples.

First, we will look at an example that leads to the Product Property.

x squared times x cubed.
What does this mean?
How many factors altogether?
x times x, multiplied by x times x. x times x has two factors. x times x times x has three factors. 2 plus 3 is five factors.
So, we have x to the fifth power.
Notice that 5 is the sum of the exponents, 2 and 3. x squared times x cubed is x to the power of 2 plus 3, or x to the fifth power.

We write:

x 2 · x 3 x 2 + 3 x 5

The base stayed the same and we added the exponents. This leads to the Product Property for Exponents .

Product property for exponents

If a is a real number, and m and n are counting numbers, then

a m · a n = a m + n

To multiply with like bases, add the exponents.

An example with numbers helps to verify this property.

2 2 · 2 3 = ? 2 2 + 3 4 · 8 = ? 2 5 32 = 32

Simplify: y 5 · y 6 .

Solution

y to the fifth power times y to the sixth power.
Use the product property, a m · a n = a m+n . y to the power of 5 plus 6.
Simplify. y to the eleventh power.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: b 9 · b 8 .

b 17

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: x 12 · x 4 .

x 16

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 2 5 · 2 9 3 · 3 4 .

Solution


  1. 2 to the fifth power times 2 to the ninth power.
    Use the product property, a m · a n = a m+n . 2 to the power of 5 plus 9.
    Simplify. 2 to the 14th power.

  2. 3 to the fifth power times 3 to the fourth power.
    Use the product property, a m · a n = a m+n . 3 to the power of 5 plus 4.
    Simplify. 3 to the ninth power.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 5 · 5 5 4 9 · 4 9 .

5 6 4 18

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: 7 6 · 7 8 10 · 10 10 .

7 14 10 11

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Simplify: a 7 · a x 27 · x 13 .

Solution


  1. a to the seventh power times a.
    Rewrite, a = a 1 . a to the seventh power times a to the first power.
    Use the product property, a m · a n = a m+n . a to the power of 7 plus 1.
    Simplify. a to the eighth power.

  2. x to the twenty-seventh power times x to the thirteenth power.
    Notice, the bases are the same, so add the exponents. x to the power of 27 plus 13.
    Simplify. x to the fortieth power.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

how does Neisseria cause meningitis
Nyibol Reply
what is microbiologist
Muhammad Reply
what is errata
Muhammad
is the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms.
Ntefuni Reply
What is microbiology
Mercy Reply
studies of microbes
Louisiaste
when we takee the specimen which lumbar,spin,
Ziyad Reply
How bacteria create energy to survive?
Muhamad Reply
Bacteria doesn't produce energy they are dependent upon their substrate in case of lack of nutrients they are able to make spores which helps them to sustain in harsh environments
_Adnan
But not all bacteria make spores, l mean Eukaryotic cells have Mitochondria which acts as powerhouse for them, since bacteria don't have it, what is the substitution for it?
Muhamad
they make spores
Louisiaste
what is sporadic nd endemic, epidemic
Aminu Reply
the significance of food webs for disease transmission
Abreham
food webs brings about an infection as an individual depends on number of diseased foods or carriers dully.
Mark
explain assimilatory nitrate reduction
Esinniobiwa Reply
Assimilatory nitrate reduction is a process that occurs in some microorganisms, such as bacteria and archaea, in which nitrate (NO3-) is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), and then further reduced to ammonia (NH3).
Elkana
This process is called assimilatory nitrate reduction because the nitrogen that is produced is incorporated in the cells of microorganisms where it can be used in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen products
Elkana
Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu Reply
Give Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu
advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal Reply
Prevent foreign microbes to the host
Abubakar
they provide healthier benefits to their hosts
ayesha
They are friends to host only when Host immune system is strong and become enemies when the host immune system is weakened . very bad relationship!
Mark
what is cell
faisal Reply
cell is the smallest unit of life
Fauziya
cell is the smallest unit of life
Akanni
ok
Innocent
cell is the structural and functional unit of life
Hasan
is the fundamental units of Life
Musa
what are emergency diseases
Micheal Reply
There are nothing like emergency disease but there are some common medical emergency which can occur simultaneously like Bleeding,heart attack,Breathing difficulties,severe pain heart stock.Hope you will get my point .Have a nice day ❣️
_Adnan
define infection ,prevention and control
Innocent
I think infection prevention and control is the avoidance of all things we do that gives out break of infections and promotion of health practices that promote life
Lubega
Heyy Lubega hussein where are u from?
_Adnan
en français
Adama
which site have a normal flora
ESTHER Reply
Many sites of the body have it Skin Nasal cavity Oral cavity Gastro intestinal tract
Safaa
skin
Asiina
skin,Oral,Nasal,GIt
Sadik
How can Commensal can Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
How can Commensal Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
all
Tesfaye
by fussion
Asiina
what are the advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal
what are the ways of control and prevention of nosocomial infection in the hospital
Micheal
what is inflammation
Shelly Reply
part of a tissue or an organ being wounded or bruised.
Wilfred
what term is used to name and classify microorganisms?
Micheal Reply
Binomial nomenclature
adeolu
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Elementary algebra. OpenStax CNX. Jan 18, 2017 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12116/1.2
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Elementary algebra' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask