Working with Exponents Rules

1. Power of a Power Property

(ab)c = a(b*c) Example: (x3)4 = x(3*4) = x12

2. Power of a Product Property

(a * b)c = ac * bc Example: (2b)3 = 23 * b3 = 8b3

3. Product of Powers Property

ab * ac = a(b+c) Example: a4 * a5 = a(4+5) = a9

4. Power of a Quotient Property

(a/b)c = ac / bc Example: (2/3)3 = (23/33) = 8/27

5. Quotient of Powers Property

ab / ac = a(b-c) Example: z5 / z3 = z(5-3) = z2

6. Zero as a Power

a0 = 1 Example: 40 = 1
7. Powers of -1

Even powers of -1 are equal to 1 Example: (-1)8 = 1 Odd Powers of -1 are equal to -1 Example: (-1)13 = -1
8. Negative Exponents

(a-b) = 1/(ab) Example: (5-2) = 1/(52) = 1/25