4.

2
GOAL

Working with Integer Exponents

Investigate powers that have integer or zero exponents.

LEARN ABOUT the Math

The metric system of measurement is used in most of the world. A key feature of the system is its ease of use. Since all units differ by multiples of 10, it is easy to convert from one unit to another. Consider the chart listing the prefix names and their factors for the unit of measure for length, the metre.
Multiple as a Power of 10 1012 109 106 103 102 101

Name terametre gigametre megametre kilometre hectometre decametre metre decimetre centimetre millimetre micrometre nanometre picometre femtometre attometre

Symbol Tm Gm Mm km hm dam m dm cm mm mm nm pm fm am

Multiple of the Metre 1 000 000 000 000 1 000 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 100 10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001 0.000 001 0.000 000 001 0.000 000 000 001 0.000 000 000 000 001 0.000 000 000 000 000 001

How can powers be used to represent metric units for lengths less than 1 metre?

Chapter 4 Exponential Functions

217

EXAMPLE

Using reasoning to define zero and negative integer exponents

Use the table to determine how multiples of the unit metre that are less than or equal to 1 can be expressed as powers of 10.

Jemilas Solution
As I moved down the table, the powers of 10 decreased by 1, while the multiples were divided by 10. To come up with the next row in the table, I divided the multiples and the powers by 10. If I continue this pattern, Ill get 100 5 1, 1021 5 0.1, 1022 5 0.01, etc. I rewrote each decimal as a fraction and each denominator as a power of 10. I noticed that 100 5 1 and 1 102n 5 n.
10

I dont think it mattered that the base was 10. The relationship would be true for any base.

EXAMPLE

Connecting the concept of an exponent of 0 to the exponent quotient rule

Use the quotient rule to show that 100 51. Davids Solution 106 51 106 106 5 10626 5 100 106
I can divide any number except 0 by itself to get 1. I used a power of 10. When you divide powers with the same base, you subtract the exponents. I applied the rule to show that a power with zero as the exponent must be equal to 1.

Therefore, 100 5 1.

218

4.2 Working with Integer Exponents

Reflecting
A.

What type of number results when x2n is evaluated if x is a positive integer and n . 1? How is 102 related to 1022? Why do you think this relationship holds for other opposite exponents? Do you think the rules for multiplying and dividing powers change if the powers have negative exponents? Explain.

B.

C.

APPLY the Math

EXAMPLE

Representing powers with integer bases in rational form

Communication

Tip

Evaluate. a) 523

b) (24) 22

c) 2324

Stergioss Solution
a) 523 5

Rational numbers can be written in a variety of forms. The term rational form means Write the number as an integer, or as a fraction.

1 53 1 125 1 (24) 2 1 16 1 34 1 81

523 is what you get if you divide 1 by 53. I evaluated the power.

b) (24) 22 5

(24) 22 is what you get if you divide 1 by (24) 2. Since the negative sign is in the parentheses, the square of the number is positive.

5
c) 2324 5 2

In this case, the negative sign is not inside the parentheses, so the entire power is negative. I knew that 324 5 34.
1

52

If the base of a power involving a negative exponent is a fraction, it can be evaluated in a similar manner.

Chapter 4 Exponential Functions

219

EXAMPLE

Representing powers with rational bases as rational numbers

Evaluate ( 2 ) 23. 3

Sadiras Solution
2 23 a b 5 3 1 2 3 a b 3 1 5 8 a b 27 27 513 8 27 5 8
Q R

2 3

23

is what you get if you divide

3 1 by Q 2R . 3

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal, so I used this to evaluate the power.

EXAMPLE

Selecting a strategy for expressions involving negative exponents .

Evaluate

35 3 322 (323 ) 2

Kayleighs Solution: Using Exponent Rules

35 3 322 351 (22) 5 2332 (323 ) 2 3 33 5 26 3 5 332 (26) 5 39 5 19 683
I simplified the numerator and denominator separately. Then I divided the numerator by the denominator. I added exponents for the numerator, multiplied exponents for the denominator, and subtracted exponents for the final calculation.

Tech

Support

Dereks Solution: Using a Calculator

I entered the expression into my calculator. I made sure I used parentheses around the entire numerator and denominator so that the calculator would compute those values before dividing.

For help with evaluating powers on a graphing calculator, see Technical Appendix, B-15.

220

4.2 Working with Integer Exponents

In Summary
Key Ideas
An integer base raised to a negative exponent is equivalent to the reciprocal of the same base raised to the opposite exponent. b2n 5 1 , where bn b20

A fractional base raised to a negative exponent is equivalent to the reciprocal of the same base raised to the opposite exponent. a 2n a b 5 b 1 b n 5a b , a n a a b b where a 2 0, b 2 0

A number (or expression), other than 0, raised to the power of zero is equal to 1. b0 5 1, where b 2 0

Need to Know
When multiplying powers with the same base, add exponents. bm 3 bn 5 bm1n When dividing powers with the same base, subtract exponents. bm 4 bn 5 bm2n if b20

To raise a power to a power, multiply exponents. (bm ) n 5 bmn In simplifying numerical expressions involving powers, it is customary to present the answer as an integer, a fraction, or a decimal. In simplifying algebraic expressions involving powers, it is customary to present the answer with positive exponents.

CHECK Your Understanding

1. Rewrite each expression as an equivalent expression with a positive exponent.

a) b)

524 a2 1 23 b 10

c)

1 224 6 5
23

e) f)

3 21 b 11

d) 2 a b

722 821

2. Write each expression as a single power with a positive exponent.

a)

(210) 8 (210) 28

b) 627 3 65

28 225 1123 d) 115

c)
1

e)

(294 ) 21

f ) 3(723 ) 224 22

3. Which is the greater power, 225 or ( 2 ) 25? Explain. Chapter 4 Exponential Functions

221

PRACTISING
4. Simplify, then evaluate each expression. Express answers in rational form.

a) b)

223 (27 ) (28) 3 (28) 23

54 56 328 d) 26 3
c)

e) f)

(423 ) 21 (721 ) 2

5. Simplify, then evaluate each expression. Express answers in rational form.

a) b)

33 (32 ) 21 (9 3 921 ) 22

(1221 ) 3 1223 (53 ) 22 d) 526

c)

e)

(322 (33 ) ) 22

f ) 97 (93 ) 22

6. Simplify, then evaluate each expression. Express answers in rational form.

a)

10(104 (1022 ) )

b) 8(82 ) (824 )

625 (62 ) 22 4210 d) (424 ) 3

c) d) a b

e) 28 3 a f ) 1325

225 b 26 132 21 3 a 8b 13

7. Evaluate. Express answers in rational form.

a) b) c)

1621 2 222 (23) 21 1 40 2 621 2 21 2 21 a2 b 1 a b 3 5

1 5

e) 523 f ) 322

1 22 1 a2 b 2 1 1023 2 8(100021 ) 3 2 622 1 (29) 21 2

21

8. Evaluate. Express answers in rational form.

a)

52 (210) 24

b) 1621 (25 )

1221 (24) 21 (29) 22 d) (321 ) 2

c) c) 2 (5) 23 d) 2 (5) 22

e) f)

(821 ) a

223 b 421 (25) 3 (225) 21 (25) 22

9. Evaluate. Express answers in rational form.

K

a) b)

(24) 23 (24) 22

e) (26) 23 f ) 2 (6) 22

10. Without using your calculator, write the given numbers in order from least to
T

greatest. Explain your thinking. (0.1) 21, 421, 522, 1021, 322, 223

11. Evaluate each expression for x 5 22, y 5 3, and n 5 21.

A

Express answers in rational form.

a) b)

(x n 1 y n ) 22n (x 2 ) n ( y22n )x2n

xn n b yn x y n 2n d) a b (xy) 2n
c)

222

4.2 Working with Integer Exponents

12. Kendra, Erik, and Vinh are studying. They wish to evaluate 322 3 3.

Kendra notices errors in each of her friends solutions, shown here.

a) Explain where each student went wrong. b) Create a solution that demonstrates the correct steps.
13. Evaluate using the laws of exponents.

a) b) c)

23 3 422 4 22 (2 3 3) 21 a 321 22 b 221

d) 421 (42 1 40 ) e) f)

25 321 22 3 3 24 (50 1 52 ) 21

322 321 422 h) 22 3 521 i) 521

g)

3 3 1 1 2 1

223 222 321 223 222 222

14. Find the value of each expression for a 5 1, b 5 3, and c 5 2.

a) ac c b) a cb c
C

c) (ab) 2c d) (b 4 c) 2a

e) f)

(2a 4 b) 2c (a21b22 ) c

g) (a bb a ) c h) 3(b) 2a4 2c

15. a) Explain the difference between evaluating (210) 3 and evaluating 1023.

b) Explain the difference between evaluating (210) 4 and evaluating 2104.

Extending
16. Determine the exponent that makes each equation true.

a) 16 x 5

1 16

c) 2 x 5 1 d) 2n 5 0.25

b) 10x 5 0.01

1 625 1 f ) 12n 5 144

e) 25n 5

17. If 102y 5 25, determine the value of 102y, where y . 0. 18. Simplify.

a) b) c)

(x 2 ) 52r
(b2m13m ) 4 (bm2n ) (b2m13n ) 4 (bm2n )

d) x 3(72r)x r e)

1 P (a102p ) a b a 1 x
m

f ) 3(3x4 ) 62m4 a b

Chapter 4 Exponential Functions

223