The Book of Algebra Iulia & Teodoru Gugoiu

21. Raising powers to a power

21.1 (Raising a power to a power) If the base of a power is
also a power then the expression can be simplified as a
power having the exponent equal to the product of the
exponents:
(a m ) n = a m´n
Ex: (52 )3 = 52´3 = 56
21.2 (Proof) A simple proof of the relation presented above
can be done for natural exponents:
(a m ) n = a1m4
´4 m
a42 L4
´4 m
a3
´4 =
n times
a ´L
= a1´42
4 43
4 a ´L
´ a ´ a1´42
4 43
4´ a ´ L ´ a1´42
a ´L
4 43
4´a =
m times m times m times
14444444 42444444 443
n times
m´n
a ´L
= a1´42
4 43
4´a = a
m´n times
Ex: (43 ) 2 = (43 ) ´ (43 ) = (4 ´ 4 ´ 4) ´ (4 ´ 4 ´ 4) = 46 = 43´2
21.3 (Generalization) Although proved only for natural
exponents, the rule of raising powers to a power is true for
any type of exponents. Ex:

(10 2 ) 3 = 10 2 ´ 3
21.4 (Complex Exponents) The rule of raising powers to a
power is true complex exponents also. Ex:
(2i )i = 2i´i = 2-1 = 0.5
21.4 (Multiple levels) The rule of raising powers to a power
can be extended for multiple levels:
q
ææ p ö
çè
( )
çç a m n ö
÷
ø
÷
÷
L = a m ´ n ´ p ´ q ´L
è ø

Ex: 5ö
2
ææ 3
çè
( )
çç 2 ÷ ÷ =2
ø ÷ø
4ö 3´4´5´2
= 2120
è
21.5 (Order of Operations) When dealing with powers
raised to a power the order of operations is important. Ex:
3
(102 )3 = 106 ¹ 102 = 108
21.6 (Inverse of the Inverse) Using the rule of the power
raised to a power you can easily find that the inverse of the
inverse of a number is equal to the original number:
(a -1 ) -1 = a ( -1)( -1) = a1 = a
21.7 (Combining Rules) You can combine the exponent
rules presented in the last sections to find out new rules.
Ex: n
æ a ö an am
çç m ÷÷ = m n = mn = a mb - mn
èb ø (b ) b
21.8 (Roots) You can easily prove that
1
a n is solution for x n = a
n
æ 1ö 1
´n
ç ÷
Indeed ç a n ÷ = a n = a1 = a
ç ÷
è ø
21.9 (Simplify Powers) Use all the rules presented before to
simplify algebraic expressions containing powers. Ex:
1 1
æ æ a ö2 ö
-
2 æ a 2 a 6b12 ö
-
2 -
1 xx
ç ç ÷ ( a 2b 4 ) 3 ÷
çè b ø ÷
=ç
ç b2 ÷
÷ (
= a 2b10 ) 2= a -1b -5
è ø è ø

(C) La Citadelle Page 21 of 100 www.la-citadelle.com