DIVISION OF POLYNOMIALS

We also need to know the following laws and definitions dealing with exponents.

For any positive integer exponents m and n,

𝑎𝑚
Division Law on Exponents, 𝑎𝑛
= 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 , 𝑎 ≠ 0

𝑎 2 𝑎𝑛
Power of a Quotient Law. (𝑏 ) = 𝑏𝑛 , 𝑏 ≠ 0

1
Definition, 𝑎−𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎 ≠ 0 .

Definition. 𝑎0 = 1, 𝑎 ≠ 0 .

Examples.

4
𝑎5 𝑎4 3𝑥 2 81𝑥 8
1. 𝑎2
= 𝑎3 3. 𝑎4 = 𝑎0 = 1 5. (2𝑦3 ) = 16𝑦12

𝑎2 1 𝑥 2 𝑥2
2. = 𝑎−3 = 4. ( ) =
𝑎5 𝑎3 𝑦 𝑦2