Laws of Exponents Worksheet (With

Answers)

Exponents’ discovery revolutionized how we compute enormous and small

values. Exponents help us understand the concepts of compound interest,
population growth, bacterial growth, and radioactive decay. They also serve
as a tool to express distances between astronomical bodies, describe
computer memory, and express some scientific scales.

With this reviewer containing the laws of exponents worksheet, you’ll learn
about exponents and the rules applied to perform mathematical operations
with them.

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Table of Contents
Review on Exponents
What Is an Exponent?
Computing Whole Numbers With Exponents
Computing Negative Numbers With Exponents
Variables Raised to an Exponent
Variables With Coefficients
Laws of Exponents
1. Product Rule
2. Quotient Rule
3. Power Rule
4. Power of a Product Rule
5. Power of a Quotient Rule
6. Zero-Exponent Rule
7. Negative Exponent Rule
Laws of Exponents Summary
Simplifying Exponential Expressions Using the Laws of Exponents
Download Printable Summary/Review Notes
Download Printable Flashcards
Test Yourself!
1. Practice Questions [Free PDF Download]
2. Answer Key [Free PDF Download]
3. Math Mock Exam + Answer Key

Review on Exponents
What Is an Exponent?

An exponent is a small number written on the upper right of another

number (or variable) called the base. It tells you that the base is raised to
the power of the exponent.
For example, in 5 , the exponent is the small number (i.e., 2), written above
2

and on the right of 5. Meanwhile, the larger number (i.e., 5) is the base. The
exponent tells us that the base, which is 5, is raised to the power of 2.

Computing Whole Numbers With Exponents

The exponent indicates how many times the base will be multiplied by itself.
Thus, in 5 , the exponent of 2 tells you that five is multiplied by itself twice.
2

Hence, 5 = 25.
2
Example 1: Compute 3 5

Solution: The exponent of 5 tells us that three is multiplied by itself five times.

Therefore, 3 = 243
5

To generalize, given a where a and m are both real numbers, it means that a
m

is multiplied by itself m times.

So far, we have tried to calculate numbers with exponents. However, all of our
examples have positive bases. In our next section, let us discuss how to
compute exponents of negative bases.

Computing Negative Numbers With Exponents

Let’s say we want to compute -2 . This means that only the number 2 is being
2

raised to the power of 2 and not -2. We can also interpret -2 as – 1 x 2

2 2

Note that by applying the order of operations (PEMDAS), you must perform
exponents before multiplication.
Hence, to compute -2 , you must first start computing for 2 .
2 2

2 =4 2

Afterward, multiply four by – 1:

-2 = – 4
2

On the other hand, if we put a negative number inside a parenthesis, we are

raising the number with the negative sign to the exponent.

For example, suppose we want to compute for (- 2) . This means that – 2 is

2

being raised to two.

Thus, to compute (- 2) , we multiply – 2 by itself two times:

2
Thus, (- 2) = 4.
2

From the computations we have performed above, we can conclude that -2 ≠ 2

(- 2) 2

Thus, a question that requires computing a negative number raised to an

exponent may come in two forms. Here’s how to solve each of them:

 Case 1: To compute –a where a and b represent specific real numbers,

b

we evaluate ab first and then multiply the result by – 1.

 Case 2: To compute (- a) where a and b represent specific real
b

numbers, we multiply –a by itself b times.

Example 1: What is the value of -9 ? 4

Solution: -9 is an example of Case 1. To compute for -9 , we need to

4 4

calculate 9 first. Afterward, multiply the result by -1:

4
Example 2: What is the value of (- 9) ?
4

Solution: Since – 9 is inside the parentheses, it indicates that – 9 is what is

being raised to the power of 4. Thus, we need to multiply – 9 by itself four
times.
Variables Raised to an Exponent

When a variable has an exponent, the variable is raised to a specific power.

The variable’s exponent tells you how many times it is being multiplied by
itself.

For instance, what does m mean?3

The exponent in m tells us that the variable m is raised to the power of 3. In

3

other words, it tells us that m is multiplied thrice.

m =m ⋅ m ∙ m
3

Note: As shown above, the solid dot is an alternative way to express

multiplication.

Example 1: Write k in expanded form.

5

Solution: The exponent in k tells us that the variable k is multiplied by itself

5

five times. Thus, the expanded form of k is: 5

k =k ∙ k ∙ k ∙ k ∙ k
5

Example 2: Express u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u in exponential form.

Solution: Note that the variable u is used six times. Hence, we must use an
exponent of 6. Thus:

u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u =u 6

Variables With Coefficients

Take a look at this algebraic expression: 5m 3

Recall that 5 is the numerical coefficient of m since it is a number multiplied

3

by a variable.

Now, what does the exponent of 3 tell us in 5m ? What is the base of that
3

exponent?

If you look closely at 5m , the variable m is the only one raised to the power of
3

3, and 5 is not included. Hence, the base of the exponent 3 in 5m is m only

3

and not 5m.

Thus 5m means 5(m ∙ m ∙ m)
3

Now take a look at this algebraic expression: (5m) 3

What does the exponent of 3 tell us in (5m) ? What is the base of that
3

exponent?

This time, the base is 5m. It means that 5m is being multiplied by itself thrice.

Thus, (5m) means 5m ∙ 5m ∙ 5m

3

In summary: When expanding a coefficient and variable raised to an

exponent, check first the base of the exponent. Determine whether the
coefficient is included in the base of the exponent or not.

 5m = 5(m ∙ m ∙ m). In this case, the numerical coefficient is not

3

included in the base of the exponent.

 (5m) = 5m ∙ 5m ∙ 5m. In this case, the numerical coefficient
3

is included in the base of the exponent.

Example 1: Write -3x in expanded form.

5

Solution: The variable x is the only one raised to the power of 5. Thus, only
the variable x is the base of exponent 5 in the given, and -3 is not included.

Thus, -3x = -3(x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x)

5

Example 2: Write (-3x) in expanded form.

5

Solution: The existence of the parentheses indicates that both the -3 and x in
-3x are raised to the power of 5. Thus, -3x is the base of exponent 5.

In other words, (-3x) = -3x ∙ –3x ∙ -3x ∙ –3x ∙ -3x

5

Laws of Exponents
There are a lot of computations involving exponents that you will encounter as
you study algebra. However, laws or specific rules must be observed to
perform these computations correctly. These laws are referred to as the Laws
of Exponents.
Let us discuss these laws in this section one by one.

1. Product Rule

Suppose we want to multiply x by x . Note that x and x have the same

2 4 2 4

base. How can we multiply them?

One possible method is to expand x and x : 2 4

x =x ∙ x
2

x = x∙x∙x∙x
4

Multiplying the expanded values:

x ∙x2 4

(x ∙ x) ∙ ( x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x)

Note that we can express the product of the expanded values in exponential
form:

(x ∙ x) ∙ ( x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x) = x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x ∙ x = x 6

Therefore, x ∙ x = x
2 4 6

What have you noticed? Have you noticed a relationship between the
exponents in x ∙ x = x ?
2 4 6

Yes, the exponent in x is just the sum of the exponents of x and x .

6 2 4

You now know what the first law of exponent is all about. That is,

Product Rule: When multiplying exponential expressions with the same

base, copy the common base and add the exponents.
Thus, when multiplying expressions with the same base, you do not have to
expand the given expressions to determine the answer. Just apply the product
rule.

Remember that you cannot apply the product rule if the given bases are
different. For example, if you multiply a2 by p3, you cannot apply the product
rule since the given bases are different.

Example 1: Compute for 2 ∙ 2

4 2

Solution: We have expressions with the same bases (i.e., 2) multiplied

together. Thus, we can apply the product rule.

Let us copy the common base first:

Then, add the exponents:

Thus, using the product rule: 2 ∙ 2 = 2
4 2 6

Example 2: Multiply b by b
5 3

Solution: Since we have the same bases being multiplied together, we can
apply the product rule:

Let us copy the common base first:

Then, add the exponents:

Therefore, using the product rule: b ∙ b = b
5 3 8

Example 3: Multiply a b by a b
3 2 2 4

Solution: We have two bases involved here, the variables a and b.

Thus, we need to apply the product rule, each for a and b:

Let us copy the common bases first:

Add the exponents for the common bases.

Hence, a b ∙ a b = a b
3 2 2 4 5 6

Example 4: Multiply (x + 5) by (x + 5)
6 3

Solution: In this case, the common base is x + 5. Hence, we can apply the
product rule.

Let us copy the common base first:

Add the exponents:

Therefore, (x + 5) ∙ (x + 5) = (x + 5)
6 3 9

Example 5: Compute for a(a ) 2

Solution: If two variables are written together with the other one enclosed in
parentheses, it implies that the variables are being multiplied. Since we have
a common base in the given (i.e., a), we can apply the product rule here.

Note that if a number or a variable has no exponent written above it, it implies
that the exponent is 1.

Let us copy the common base first:

Add the exponents:

Therefore, a(a ) = a
2 3

2. Quotient Rule

The Quotient Rule is the opposite of the Product Rule.

It states that if you divide exponential expressions with the same base,
you can just copy the common base and then subtract the exponents.

Example 1: Compute for x ÷ x

7 3

Solution: We can apply the quotient rule since we are dividing exponential
expressions with the same base.

Let us copy the common base first:

Subtract the exponents:

Therefore, x ÷ x = x
7 3 4

Example 2: Simplify x ⁄x 9 4

Solution: x ⁄x also means x ÷ x . Since we are dividing exponential

9 4 9 4

expressions with the same base, we can apply the quotient rule.

Let us start by copying the common base:

Finally, subtract the exponents:

Therefore, x ⁄x = x
9 4 5
Example 3: Simplify p q ⁄p q
8 2 6

Solution: We have two bases involved: the variables p and q. Thus, we will
use the quotient rule for the variables p and q.

Copying the common bases:

Finally, subtract the exponents for each of the common bases.

Hence, p q ⁄p q = p q
8 2 6 2
Example 4: Divide 1,000,000,000 by 1,000,000.

Solution: Note that we can express 1,000,000,000 as 10 . On the other hand,

9

we can express 1,000,000 as 10 . Therefore, we can answer the problem by

6

dividing 10 by 10 .
9 6

Since we have a common base (i.e., 10), we can apply the quotient rule:

Let us copy the common base first:

Then, subtract the exponents:

Therefore, the answer is 10 or 1000.
3

Tip: We can express a multiple of 10 into exponential form quickly by

counting the number of zeros it has. For example, 1,000,000,000 has nine
zeros. Thus, if we express 1,000,000,000 in exponential form, we can
determine the exponent to be used based on the number of zeros it has.
Therefore 1,000,000,000 = 10 9

3. Power Rule

Imagine a number raised to an exponent and then raised to another

exponent. What do you think will happen?

Suppose we have b and want to raise it, say to the power of 3. This will give
2

us (b )
2 3

Can we express (b ) using a single exponent only? The power rule states that
2 3

we can!
The power rule states that if a number is raised to an exponent and then
all is raised to another exponent, you can combine the exponents into
one by multiplying them.

Example 1: Simplify (k ) 4 2

Solution: Notice that the entire k is raised to 2. We can combine the

4

exponents into one by multiplying them by applying the power rule. Thus,

(k ) = k × = k
4 2 4 2 8

Therefore, (k ) = k
4 2 8

Example 2: What is the value of (3 ) ? 2 3

Solution: Applying the product rule:

(3 ) = 3 × = 3
2 3 2 3 6

Now, all we need to do next is expand 3 : 6

3 ∙ 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 3 ∙ 3 = 729

Therefore, (3 ) = 729
2 3

Example 3: Simplify (a ) 5 2
Solution: Applying the product rule:

(a ) = a × = a
5 2 5 2 10

Therefore, (a ) = a
5 2 10

Example 4: Simplify (8y ) 5 2

Solution: Note that the base of the exponent 2 is 8y . This means that we 5

need to apply the power rule both for 8 and y : 5

(8y ) = 8 y × = 8 y
5 2 2 5 2 2 10

Since 8 = 8 ∙ 8 = 64, then 8 y = 64y

2 2 10 10

Therefore, (8y ) = 64y

5 2 10

4. Power of a Product Rule

If an expression has more than one variable multiplied together and

raised to a specific power, we can simplify that expression using the
power of the product rule. This rule allows us to raise the variables involved
in the multiplication process to the given exponent.

Example 1: Simplify (xy) 2

Solution: The given expression has two variables multiplied (xy) and raised to
the power of 2. This means we can simplify it using the power of a product
rule.

The power of the product rule allows us to “distribute” the exponent to each
variable:

(x y) = (x )(y )
2 2 2

Therefore, (xy) = x y 2 2 2

Example 2: Simplify (a b ) 4 3 3

Solution: Let us apply the power of the product rule to simplify the given
expression.

We start by “distributing” 3 to each of the variables:

(a b ) = (a ) (b )
4 3 3 4 3 3 3

To further simplify the expression, we can apply the product rule to each
variable:

(a ) (b ) = a × b × = a b
4 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 12 9

Hence, (a b ) = a b
4 3 3 12 9

Example 3: Simplify (4a b ) 3 2 2

Solution: Let us apply the power of the product rule to simplify the given
expression. Note that we should also raise 4 to the power of 2:

(4a b ) = (4) (a ) (b )
3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2

Now, we apply the product rule to each variable:

(4) (a )(b )
2 6 4

Lastly, since 4 = 16:

2

16a b 6 4

Therefore, (4a b ) = 16a b

3 2 2 6 4
5. Power of a Quotient Rule

The power of the quotient rule is the opposite of the previous rule. It tells us
that if variables are divided and raised to a specific power, we can
simplify the expression using the power of the quotient rule.

Suppose we have the expression m⁄n, and we want to raise it to the power of
3: (m⁄n)3

Since we have two variables (m and n) divided together and raised to a

specific power, we can apply the power of the quotient rule.

This rule allows us to raise the variables involved in the division process to the
given exponent.

(m⁄n) = (m ⁄n )
3 3 3

Example 1: Apply the power of the quotient rule to (x⁄y) 2

Solution: Through the power of the quotient rule, we can distribute the
exponent to the variables involved in the division process:
Therefore, using the power of the quotient rule, (x⁄y) = x ⁄y
2 2 2

Example 2: Simplify (a ⁄b )
4 2 2

Solution: Since we have two variables (a and b ) divided together and raised
4 2

to a specific power, we can apply the power of the quotient rule:

Notice that we can simplify the expression further using the product rule:
Therefore, (a ⁄b ) = a ⁄b
4 2 2 8 4

6. Zero-Exponent Rule

What happens if you raise a number or a variable to the power of zero?

The zero-exponent rule tells us that the result will be 1.

The Zero-Exponent Rule states that any nonzero base raised to 0 equals
1.
Example 1: Suppose that m ≠ 0; what is the value of m ? 0

Solution: By the zero-exponent rule, m = 1. 0

Example 2: What is the value of 109 ? 0

Solution: By the zero-exponent rule, 109 = 1 0

Example 3: Simplify 15x 0

Solution: We know that by the zero-exponent rule, x = 1. Take note that x is

0 0

multiplied by 15 in 15x . Since x = 1:

0 0

Hence, 15x = 15
0

Example 4: Simplify a b c 0 2

Solution: By the zero-exponent rule, a = 1. Since a is multiplied to b c in the

0 0 2

given expression a b c:
0 2
Hence, a b c = b c
0 2 2

7. Negative Exponent Rule

The negative exponent rule states that if a base is raised to a negative

number, the base should be put to the denominator, and the given
negative exponent changed into a positive exponent.
Let’s apply the negative exponent rule to 2 . Using the rule, we can put the
-2

base (i.e., 2) to the denominator. Note that the denominator of 2 is 1. Once

-2

we put the base into the denominator, we can change the negative exponent
into a positive exponent.
Therefore, 2 = ¼
-2

Let us look at the examples below to understand this rule further.

Example 1: What is the value of 5 ?

-3

Solution: Using the negative exponent rule, we can express 5 as 1⁄5 . We

-3 3

can expand 5 as 5 x 5 x 5 and obtain 125. Therefore, 5 = 1⁄125

3 -3

Example 2: Express y as an expression without a negative exponent.

-1

Solution: Using the negative exponent rule, we can express y as 1⁄y with no
-1

negative exponent involved.

Thus, the answer is 1⁄y.

Example 3: Express a b c without a negative exponent.

2 -3

Solution: We can apply the negative exponent rule to express a b c without a

2 -3

negative exponent. However, since b is the only base raised to a negative

–3

exponent, we can only apply the negative exponent rule to b , and it is the
–3

only base that we will put in the denominator.

Therefore, a b c can be written without a negative exponent as a c⁄b
2 -3 2 3

Laws of Exponents Summary

We are now done discussing the mathematical rules that govern the
exponential expressions. As a recap, here’s a table that summarizes the laws
of exponents.

Product Rule am ∙ an = am + n

Quotient Rule am⁄an= am – n

Power Rule (am)n = amn

Power of a Product Rule (a b)p = ap bp

Power of a Quotient Rule (a⁄b)m = am⁄bm, where b ≠ 0

Zero Exponent Rule a0 = 1

Negative Exponent Rule a-m = 1⁄am

Simplifying Exponential Expressions Using the Laws

of Exponents
An exponential expression is simplified if there are fewer terms and exponents
involved. Furthermore, a simplified exponential expression has positive
exponents.

As we simplify various exponential expressions, we have to apply different

laws of exponents discussed above.

Example 1: Simplify 5p q 0 -2

Solution: We can simplify the given expression by making all its exponents
positive.

Let us start by applying the zero-exponent rule:

5p q0 -2
 5(1)q (since p = 1)
-2 0

5q -2

We can then remove the negative exponent using the negative exponent rule:

5q -2

5⁄q 2

Thus, the answer is 5⁄q 2

Example 2: Simplify (a ⁄a ) 4 2 2

Solution 1: Note that we can distribute the exponent (i.e., 2), which is outside
the parentheses, to the bases that are inside the parentheses using the power
of the quotient rule:

(a ⁄a ) = a × ⁄a × = a ⁄a
4 2 2 4 2 2 2 8 4

Since we are dividing the same bases, we can apply the quotient rule:

a ⁄a = a
8 4 8–4
=a 4

Therefore, (a ⁄a ) = a
4 2 2 4

You can also simplify the given expression using the alternative solution
below.

Solution 2: This time, let us start applying the quotient rule since we are
dividing the same bases:

(a ⁄a ) = (a ) = (a )
4 2 2 4–2 2 2 2

Notice that we can now apply the power rule since (a ) is an expression 2 2

raised to an exponent and then raised to another exponent.

(a ) = a × = a
2 2 2 2 4

Example 3: Simplify [(x + y) (x + y) ] 2 3 -1

Solution: We can start by making the negative exponent positive. To do this,
put the base into the denominator (negative exponent rule). The base in the
given expression is the entire (x + y) (x + y)
2 3

We can simplify the expression further using the product rule since we are
multiplying the same bases:

Therefore, the answer is 1⁄(x + y) 5