Module 2: Integral and Rational Exponents and Radical Equations

Lesson 4: Laws of Integral Exponent

Learning Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the learner is able to
Apply the laws involving positive integral exponents to zero and negative integral exponents.

Direction: Use the quotient rule for exponents to rewrite each expression in column 1
EXPLORE with a single exponent. Write your answers in column 2. Some of your answers
have positive exponents, some have negative exponents, and some have
zero exponents.

1. By simply looking at the expressionExpanded Form

in column 1, how of
canExpressions thatof exponent
you tell the type Expandedin Form of Expressions
the quotient?
Quotient Quotient of Powers resulted in Negative Exponents/ that Resulted in Zero Exponents/
________________________________________________________________________
Reduced form Reduced Form
_________
5
4
_________________________________________________________________________________.
a. 2
4
2.
1010
b.
105
54
c.
58
a3
d.
a5
34
e.
34
95
f.
95
Write all the expressions in column 1 that resulted in negative exponents in their expanded forms and then reduce
them. Write your answers in column 3. Cross out the remaining spaces in this column.

3. Compare column 2 and column 3. What does “a base raised to a negative exponent” mean?
___________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.

4. Write all the expressions in column 2 that resulted in zero exponents in their expanded forms and then reduce
them. Write your answers in column 4. Cross out the remaining spaces in this column.

5. Compare column 2 and column 4. What does “a base raised to a zero exponent” mean?
___________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.

6. Explain how to write fractions with negative exponents in the number or denominator as fractions with positive
exponents.
___________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.
 DISCUSSION

Definition

Expressions with Integral and Fractions Exponents

In the expression an, the positive integral exponent n indicates the number of times that the base a
is used as a factor; that is,

a=a
a 2=a ∙ a
a 3=a ∙ a ∙a
n
a =a ∙ a ∙ a∙ a … ∙ a
For
n times
example, the expression 82 means you have to multiply the number 8 twice by itself; that is, 8 2 = 8 x 8 = 64. The
expression 82 can be read as “8 squared”, “8 raised to the power 2’, or “8 to the second power.”

Example 1: Expand each expression and simplify.

5
5 2 2 4 3
1
a. 2 b. (-2) c. -2 d. 3 e. (-5) f.
2

Solution:
a. 25 = 2∙ 2∙ 2∙ 2 ∙2=32 b. (-2)2 = -2 ∙ -2 = 4 c. -22 = -(2 ∙ 2¿ = -(4) = -4

Note: Please see page 134 in your textbook for the other solutions. 

In simplifying expressions 23∙ 22 and (23)2, certain laws of exponents must be considered.

Definition

m
Laws of Positive Integral Exponents

Let a and b be real numbers, and m and n be positive integers.

1. a m ∙ an =am +n Product of powers

m m n
2. (ab) =a b Power of a product
3. (a¿ ¿ m)n=amn ¿ Power of a power
a m−n ,if m>n
am 1
4. n =¿ m−n , if m<n Quotient of powers
a a
1, if m=n
a am
5. = n ; b≠0 Power of a quotient
1. b a Product of a
Power a m ∙ an =am +n
2. Power of a Product (ab)m =am b n
 Example: 23 ∙ 25 = 23+5 = 28 = 512 Example: (3 ∙ 5)2 = 32 ∙ 52 = 9∙25 = 225

am
3. Power of a power (a¿ ¿ m)n=amn ¿ 4. Quotient of power = a m−n
an
26
Example: (54)3 = 54(3) = 512 = Example: 4
= 26-4 = 22 = 4
2

m
a am
5. Power of a quotient = n
4 b a
x x4
Example: =
y y4

Note: Please see pp. 134- 135 in your textbook for the other examples.

Try It 1!

Direction: On a scratch paper, simplify the following expressions by applying the laws of positive integral
exponents.
See page 135 in your book (Skill Builder)

Definition
-n n
n
Laws of Negative Integral Exponents
Just for Fun 
Let a and b be real numbers, and m and n be positive integers.

1 729 is the -1smallest1 1

1. a = ; a ≠ 0 3. a-n =
number that can a be a
expressed as the sum of the
two cubes in two 1different a b
ways. What [Link]? =an 4. =
a −n
b a

Zero Exponent
x 0=1 , where x ≠ 0.
Any number, excluding zero, with an exponent of zero in equal to one.

Note: Please see pp. 135- 138 in your textbook for the examples. 

Try It 2!

Direction: Simplify the following expressions and write the result with positive exponents.
See page 137 & 138 in your book (Skill Builder)
 MODULE 2: SET OF ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _____________________________________ Date: ______________
Grade & Section: ___________________________ Score: ______________

Lesson 4: Laws of Integral Exponent

Direction: On a separate sheet of paper answer the following.

A. What will you do with the exponents when you are:

a. multiplying powers?

b. dividing powers?

c. raising a power to a power?

d. raising a product of powers to a power?

e. raising a fraction to a power?

B. Simplify
7 9 x9 X8 Y 7
1. x ∙x 2. x2 y2 ∙ x6y7 3. 4.
x7 X2 Y 3

x 24
5. (x12)3 6. (3a2b)4 7. 8. 50 + 5
y3

9.
30 +7 10. 5-2 – 2-2 11. 24 + 2-3
4

C. Real-Life Application of Negative Exponents

 The annual inflation rate is 6%. This means that the cost of any item increases by 5% each year. Write and
evaluate an exponential expression for each of the following.

a. If a bicycle cost P4, 350.00 today, what did it costs 5 years ago?

b. If an air conditioner cost P8 250.00 today, what did it cost 2 years ago?

Note: Formula for future value A(1 + r )x