EXPONENTS
Review of Introductory Mathematics
Zero Exponents
Using the rule for exponents (Rule 4) to evaluate an/an, then
an
an
1
This interpretation is consistent with the rule an/an = an-n = a0. Therefore, a0 = 1 when a is not
equal to 0. Any number to the zero power equals one.
Example:
30 = 1
(b2+2)0 = 1
Negative Exponents
The rules for positive exponents apply to negative exponents. a-n is defined as follows:
a-n = an
1
an
an
1
an
For example, a5/a2 = a
5 - 2
as shown earlier. If
is written as a-2, and the rules for
1
a2
multiplication are applied to this, a5 x a-2 = a5-2 = a3. Thus, writing
as a-n and applying the
1
an
rules for multiplication yields the same results as
and applying the rules of division.
1
an
Examples:
c2
1
c2
x3
1
x3
MA-01
Page 64
Rev. 0
