Exploration #4: Negative exponents

Once you have your calculator on your desk, turn it on and follow the directions below:
For the following set of numbers,
1. Enter the number exactly as you see it into your calculator
2. Notice that your calculator has given you a decimal answer. Copy that decimal into the
second column of your chart.
3. Turn that decimal into a fraction using the Math, Fraction, Enter commands. Copy that
fraction into the third column.

Given

Decimal

Fraction

a)
b)
c)

Take a look at the relationship between a number in the first column and its corresponding
number in the third column. What do you notice?

When asked to simplify an expression with a negative exponent, you must reciprocate it and
make the exponent _______

When given a negative exponent in the denomonator, you reciprocate it and make the
exponent ________

Examples for you!

Examples for your group!

Exploration #1: Product of powers and zero

Lets take a look at the following product below

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:
:

What do you notice about your final answer in part c in comparison to the original expression?
(think exponents?)
When we multiply two powers with the ______ base, we simply ______ the exponents

Now, using that rule, simplify the following expression

Ex.

(Make sure you include parenthesis)

What is your answer?

Now think about your simplified expression and the answer you got when you evaluated. Make a
simplified statement about this rule.

Anything raised to the ____________ power will always equal _____________

Examples for you!

Examples for your group!

Exploration #2: Power of a power and power of a product

Example 1:
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1. The three in this expression that we are going to multiple the inside expression _____ times.
Write that out above
2. Now you have a product of three powers. Simplify each power into a product of bs
3. How many bs do you have total? How does that number relate to the original two powers of
three and two that we started with?

If you are asked to find the power of a power, you are going to _______your two exponents

Example 2:
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1. Once again rewrite the expression so that the outside exponent goes away ( similar to example
1)
2. How many threes are there? What power does that represent? How many bs are there now?
3. Think about how the number of each number relates to the power

If you are asked to find the power of a product, you must _________ your outside exponent to
_________ inside

Examples for you!

Examples for your group!

Exploration 3: Quotient of powers and powers of a quotient

Example 1:

1. Write out the numerator and denominator as a product of xs

2. Hopefully at this point in your mathematical career, you know that every number divided by
itself is 1. Therefore, for every one x in the numerator, you can cross it off along with a single x
in the denominator. After you crossed all the xs possible, how many are left.
3. How does the number of xs left correspond to the two powers in the given ratio?

When dividing powers with the _______ base, you simply just ___________the exponents
Example 2:

1. Remember that the three means we multiple the inside term _________ times. Show that
above. What are the exponents of each x and y thus far?
2. You now need to multiply three fractions together. To do so, you must multiply straight
across. What expression are you left with?
3. How does this answer correspond to the powers given?

When asked to find the power of a quotient, you must multiple the exponents on __ and
_________

Examples for you!

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Examples for your group!

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Exponent Rule Problems

Product of powers and zero

Power of a power and power of a product

Quotient of a power and Power of a quotient

Negative exponents