Section 1.
7
Exponents and Order of
Operations
Objectives
Evaluate exponential expressions
Use the order of operations rules
Evaluate expressions containing grouping
symbols
Find the mean (average)
Objective 1: Evaluate Exponential
Expressions
In the expression 3 3 3 3 3, the number 3 repeats as a
factor five times. We can use exponential notation to write
this product in a more compact form.
Exponent and Base: An exponent is used to indicate repeated
multiplication. It is how many times the base is used as a factor.
In the exponential expression
35, the base is 3, and 5 is the
exponent. The expression is
called a power of 3.
Some other examples of
exponential expressions are:
Objective 1: Evaluate Exponential
Expressions
To evaluate (find the value of) an exponential expression, we write the
base as a factor the number of times indicated by the exponent. Then we
multiply the factors.
EXAMPLE 2
Evaluate each expression:
a. 53, b. (−2/3)3, c. 101, d. (0.6)2, e. (−3)4, f. (−3)5
Strategy We will rewrite each exponential expression as a
product of repeated factors, and then perform the
multiplication. This requires that we identify the base and
the exponent.
Why The exponent tells the number
of times the base is to be written as
a factor.
EXAMPLE 2
Solution
EXAMPLE 2
Solution
Objective 1: Evaluate Exponential
Expressions
Even and Odd Powers of a Negative Number:
When a negative number is raised to an even power, the result is positive.
When a negative number is raised to an odd power, the result is negative.
Although the expressions (−4)2 and −42 look alike, they are not. When we find
the value of each expression, it becomes clear that they are not equivalent.
Objective 2: Use the Order of Operations Rules
Suppose you have been asked to contact a friend if you see a Rolex
watch for sale when you are traveling in Europe.
While in Switzerland, you find the watch and send the text message
shown on the left.
The next day, you get the response shown on the right.
Something is wrong. The first part of the response (No price too high!) says to
buy the watch at any price. The second part (No! Price too high.) says not to buy
it, because it’s too expensive.
The placement of the exclamation point makes us read the two parts of
the response differently, resulting in different meanings.
When reading a mathematical statement, the same kind of confusion is
possible.
Objective 2: Use the Order of Operations Rules
For example, consider the expression 2 + 3 6.
We can evaluate this expression in two ways.
We can add first, and then multiply.
Or we can multiply first, and then add. However, the
results are different.
If we don’t establish a uniform order of operations,
the expression has two different values. To avoid
this possibility, we will always use the following set
of priority rules.
Objective 2: Use the Order of Operations Rules
Order of Operations:
1. Perform all calculations within parentheses and other
grouping symbols following the order listed in Steps 2–4 below,
working from the innermost pair of grouping symbols to the
outermost pair.
2. Evaluate all exponential expressions.
3. Perform all multiplications and divisions as they occur from
left to right.
4. Perform all additions and subtractions as they occur from left
to right.
When grouping symbols have been removed, repeat Steps 2–4
to complete the calculation.
If a fraction is present, evaluate the expression above and the
expression below the bar separately. Then simplify the fraction,
if possible.
EXAMPLE 4
Evaluate:
a. 3 23 − 4, b. −30 − 4 5 + 9, c. 24 ÷ 6 2,
d. 160 − 4 + 6(−2)(−3)
Strategy We will scan the expression to determine what
operations need to be performed. Then we will perform
those operations, one-at-a-time, following the order of
operations rules.
Why If we don’t follow the correct order of operations, the
expression can have more than one value.
EXAMPLE 4 Solution
a. Three operations need to be performed to evaluate this expression:
multiplication, raising to a power, and subtraction. By the order of operations
rules, we evaluate 23 first.
b. This expression involves subtraction, multiplication, and addition. The order
of operations rule tells us to multiply first.
EXAMPLE 4 Solution
c. Since there are no calculations within parentheses nor
are there exponents, we perform the multiplications and
divisions as they occur from left to right. The division occurs
before the multiplication, so it must be performed first.
d. Although this expression contains parentheses, there are no operations to perform within
them. Since there are no exponents, we will perform the multiplications as they occur from
left to right.
Objective 3: Evaluate Expressions Containing
Grouping Symbols
Grouping symbols serve as mathematical punctuation
marks. They help determine the order in which an
expression is to be evaluated.
Examples of grouping symbols are parentheses ( ), brackets [ ],
braces { }, absolute value symbols | |, and the fraction bar —.
Expressions can contain two or more pairs of grouping
symbols.
To evaluate the following expression, we begin within the
innermost pair of grouping symbols, the parentheses. Then we
work within the outermost pair, the brackets.
EXAMPLE 6 Evaluate: −4[2 + 3(4 − 82)] − 2
Strategy We will work within the parentheses first and
then within the brackets. At each stage, we follow the
order of operations rules.
Why By the order of operations, we must work from the
innermost pair of grouping symbols to the outermost.
EXAMPLE 6 Evaluate: −4[2 + 3(4 − 82)] − 2
Solution
Objective 4: Find the Mean (Average)
The arithmetic mean (or simply mean) of a set
of numbers is a value around which the values
of the numbers are grouped. The mean is also
commonly called the average.
Finding An Arithmetic Mean: To find the mean of a
set of values, divide the sum of the values by the
number of values.
EXAMPLE 9 Hotel Reservations
In an effort to improve customer service, a hotel
electronically recorded the number of times the
reservation desk telephone rang before it was
answered by a receptionist. The results of the
week-long survey are shown in the table.
Find the average(mean) number of times the
phone rang before a receptionist answered.
Strategy First, we will determine the total number of times the
reservation desk telephone rang during the week. Then we will
divide that result by the total number of calls received.
Why To find the average value of a set of values, we divide the sum
of the values by the number of values.
EXAMPLE 9 Hotel Reservations
Solution
To find the total number of rings, we multiply each number of rings (1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5 rings) by the respective number of occurrences and add those subtotals.
Total number of rings = 11(1) + 46(2) + 45(3) + 28(4) + 20(5)
The total number of calls received was 11 + 46 + 45 + 28 + 20. To find the
average, we divide the total number of rings by the total number of calls.
