Chapter

1
Fundamentals
Section 1.3: Integer Exponents
Section 1.4: Polynomials

Course
MATH 111of Math107Basic Sciences Department, Engineering Track 1
Basic Science Department
 Section 1.3 Integer Exponents

• 1.3.1 Integer Exponents

• 1.3.2 Scientific Notation

Course
MATH 111of Math107Basic Sciences Department, Engineering Track 2
Basic Science Department
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1.3.1 Integer Exponents

Natural Number Exponent
If is a real number and is a natural number then

The expression is read as “ (raised) to the th-power”, the number is the

base and is the exponent. The expression itself is called power of . For
example, and .

WARNING: Be careful when dealing the exponents of negative numbers. Note that
and represent different operations.
For example:

Some Special Powers:

 “ to the first power is equal to ”
 “ to the second power” or “ squared”.
 “ to the third power” or “ cubed”.
 “ to the th”.
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Negative Integer Exponent

For a non-zero real number and a natural number we define as the
reciprocal of .

The expression is read as “ to the negative th power.”

For example,

Some Special Powers:

 or “”
 “ to the negative second power” or “the reciprocal of
squared”
 “ to the negative third power”
 “ to the negative ”.
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Example 1: Evaluating Exponential

Expressions
Evaluate each of the following expressions.
a) b) c) d)
Solution:
a)
b)
c)
d) (Remember: )

Try & Check

Evaluate each of the following expressions.
a) b)
c) d)
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Zero Exponent
If is a non-zero real number then

Example 2: Evaluating Expression with Zero Exponent

Evaluate each of the following expressions


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Rules of Integer Exponents

Assume a, b, m and n are so that all expressions are defined.

Name of the rule The rule Example

Product of powers
(common base)

Quotient of powers
(common base)

Power of a product
(common exponents)
Power of powers
Power of quotient
(common exponent)
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Example 3: Applying the Rules of Exponents to Simplify

Expressions

Simplify the following expressions using the properties of

exponents and write your answer using positive exponents only.

Solution:
a) Separate the variables.

Apply the quotient rule:

¿ ( −5 ) ( 𝑥
3−1
)(𝑦 4 −2
)
2 2
¿ −5 𝑥 𝑦
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Example 3: Continued

( 𝑎 𝑏 3 𝑐 2 )2
𝑏¿ , 𝑎 ,𝑏 , 𝑐 ≠ 0
3 2
(𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 )
5 2

( 𝑎 𝑏3 𝑐 2 )2 3 2
𝑎 (𝑏 ) (𝑐 )
2 2 2
Apply the product rule, , in the numerator
=
3 2 2 2 2
(𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 )
5 2
( 𝑎 5 ) ( 𝑏2 ) ( 𝑐3 ) and in the denominator
2 6 4
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
¿ 10 4 6 Apply the power rule, , in the numerator
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 and in the denominator.

( )( )( )
2 6 4
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 Separate the variables
¿
𝑎10 𝑏4 𝑐6
−8 2 −2 Apply the quotient rule: .
¿𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
2
1 2 1 𝑏 Rewrite powers with negative exponents
¿ 8 ×𝑏 × 2 = 8 2
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎 𝑐 as reciprocals.
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Try & Check

Simplify the following expressions using the rules of

exponents and write your answer using positive
exponents only
b)
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Example 4: Applying the Rules of Exponents to Simplify

Expressions

Simplify the following expressions using the properties of exponents and write your
answer using positive exponents only.
b)

Solution:
( 2 𝑥 𝑦 3 )3 ( 𝑦 𝑧 2) 4 3 3
2 𝑥 (𝑦 ) 𝑦 (𝑧 )
3 3 4 2 4
= Apply the power rule .
( 3 𝑥𝑦𝑧 ) 4 4
3 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
4 4 4

23 𝑥 3 𝑦 9 𝑦 4 𝑧 8
¿ 4 4 4 4 Apply the power rule .
3 𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
3 13 8
8𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 Simplify the numerator using the power rule .
¿ 4 4 4
81𝑥 𝑦 3𝑧 13 8

8
¿ ( )( )( )( )
8 𝑥 𝑦
81 𝑥 4 𝑦 4 𝑧 4
𝑧
Separate variables.
¿ ( 𝑥 3 − 4 ) ( 𝑦 13 −4 ) ( 𝑧 8 − 4 ) = 8 𝑥 −1 𝑦 9 𝑧 4 Apply the power rule .
81 81
9 4
8 1 8𝑦 𝑧
Apply the power rule .
9 4
¿ × ×𝑦 × 𝑧 =
81 𝑥 81 𝑥
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Example 4: Continued

b)

( )( )
3 −2 −2 3 −2 −2
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 ( 3−(−2) −2−3)−2 ( 5 −5)−2
−2 3
= ⋅
−2 3
= 𝑎 𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑏 Within parentheses, use the power rule

𝑎𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
.

−10 10 Use the power rule .

¿𝑎 𝑏
𝑏
10 Rewrite powers with negative exponent as a reciprocal.
¿ 10
𝑎
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1.3.2. Scientific Notation

A positive real number is written in scientific notation when it
is written in the form

where and is an integer.

A reminder: Powers of
Power of

Value

Warning:
A number can be written in many ways using the powers of 10,
but only one of them represents the scientific notation. For
example, while
is true, only is the scientific notation of 16.5
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Example 5: Writing Numbers in Scientific Notation

Write each number in scientific notation.

a)

Solution:

Try & Check

Write each number in scientific notation.
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Example 6: Converting from Scientific Notation to

Decimals

Rewrite the following numbers in decimal form.

Solution:

Try & Check

Rewrite the following numbers in decimal form.

 Section 1.4 Polynomials

• 1.4.1 Polynomials
• 1.4.2 Operations on Polynomials
• 14.3 Special Products

of Math111
MATH 111 Basic Science
Basic Sciences Department, Department
Engineering Track 16
Engineerin
 17/35

1.4.1 Polynomials

Monomials

A monomial is a real number or a product of a real number and one or more

variables with nonnegative integer exponents. The number is called the coefficient
of the monomial.

For Example:

 is a monomial in , and . Its coefficient is .

 is a monomial in and . Its coefficient is .
 is a monomial in and . Its coefficient is .
 is a constant monomial. Its coefficient is .
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Degree of a Monomial

The degree of a monomial is the sum of the exponents of its variables. All nonzero
constants have a degree of . The number zero has no defined degree.

For Example:

 The degree of is because .

 The degree of is .
 The degree is .
• The degree of is (.
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Polynomials
• A polynomial is a monomial or a sum of monomials.
• Each monomial in that sum is a term of the polynomial.
• A polynomial with two terms is called a binomial.
• A polynomial with three terms is called a trinomial.

Monomial Binomial Trinomial

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Degree of Polynomials
The degree of a polynomial is the degree of its term with the highest degree.
 Any nonzero real number is a polynomial with degree .
 The number is a polynomial with no defined degree it is called the zero
polynomial.

Example 1: Identifying Parts of a Polynomial

For the polynomial identify the coefficient and the degree of each term, then find
the degree of the polynomial.
Term Coefficient Degree
Solution:

The polynomial has a

degree of 8.
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Try & Check

Identify the coefficient and the degree of each term and the degree of the polynomial

Term Coefficient Degree

The polynomial has a degree of

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Like Terms

Like terms or similar terms of a polynomial are either constants or

the terms having the same variables with the same exponents. To
combine like terms in a polynomial we add (or subtract) their
coefficients.

For Example:

WARNING: Only like terms can be added or subtracted in a

polynomial.
In the polynomial , terms and cannot be combined because they
are not like terms.
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Example 2: Combining Like Terms

Simplify the following:

Solution: 2
a)
2 2 2
Identify like terms.
¿ 4 𝑥 𝑦 + 𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑦 +3 𝑥 𝑦 +1
¿ ( 4+ 3 ) 𝑥 𝑦 + 𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑦 +1 Combine like terms by adding
2 2 2

2 2 2 their coefficients
¿ 7 𝑥 𝑦 + 𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑦 +1

b) Identify like terms.

3 3 3
¿ 2 𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 𝑦 −3 𝑥 𝑦
3
¿ ( 2 −1 −3 ) 𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦 Combine like terms by adding their
3 coefficients
¿ − 2 𝑥 𝑦 − 𝑥𝑦
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Polynomial in Variable: Standard Form

A nonzero polynomial in one variable can be written in

standard form:

where , , …, are real numbers, and is a nonnegative integer.

 The degree of this polynomial is .
 The leading coefficient is and the constant term is .

WARNING
 In standard form, the order of terms is important. For example, while and
represent the same polynomial, only is in standard form.
 The coefficients of missing terms are automatically 0. For example, is indeed .
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Example 3: Identifying Parts of a Polynomial in One Variable

Write each of the following polynomials in standard form. Indicate the degree, the leading
coefficient, the constant term and the coefficient of for each of them.

Solution:
a) b)
 Standard form: ;  Standard form: ;
 Degree: ;  Degree: ;
 Leading coefficient: ;  Leading coefficient: ;
 Constant term: ;  Constant term: ;
 Coefficient of : .  Coefficient of : .
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1.4.2. Operations on Polynomials

Addition, subtraction and multiplication of polynomials can be done similar to real
numbers.
• All properties of these three operations (commutatitivity, associativity and distributivity
) are valid on polynomials.
• Only like terms can be added or subtracted. All like terms should be combined in every
operation.
• In multiplication, polynomials must be written in parentheses.

Example 5: Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

a) Add:

2 2 2 7 2
𝑥 + 3 𝑥1𝑦 −2 𝑥𝑦 +1
¿ 6 𝑎 𝑏+2 𝑎 𝑏 − 2 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑎𝑏 − 𝑏¿ 2+5+
2 2
¿ 8 𝑎 𝑏−3 𝑎𝑏−𝑏 +6
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Example 5: Adding or Subtracting Polynomials

a) Compute the following and write the answer in standard form:

b) Subtract from and write the difference in standard form.

Solution for b):

(1 3
( 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2+ 𝑥 +1 ) − − 1 𝑥 3 + 1 𝑥 2 +1
1 2
2 ) Remove parentheses.
3 2
¿ 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 +1+
3
𝑥 − 𝑥 −1 Combine like terms
3 2
4 3 1 2
¿ 𝑥 + 𝑥 +𝑥
3 2
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Example 6: Multiplying Polynomials

Expand and simplify .

Solution
( 3 𝑥+ 2 𝑦 ) ( 2 𝑥2 −3 𝑥𝑦 + 4 𝑦 2 )¿ 3 𝑥 ( 2 𝑥 2 − 3 𝑥𝑦 +4 𝑦 2 ) + 2 𝑦 ( 2 𝑥 2 −3 𝑥𝑦 +
¿ 3 𝑥 ( 2 𝑥 2 ) −3 𝑥 ( 3 𝑥𝑦 ) +3 𝑥 ( 4 𝑦 2 ) + 2 𝑦 ( 2 𝑥 2 ) − ( 2 𝑦 )( 3 𝑥𝑦
3 2 2 2 2 3
¿ 6 𝑥 −9 𝑥 𝑦 + 12 𝑥 𝑦 + 4 𝑦 𝑥 −6 𝑥 𝑦 +8 𝑦
3 2 2 2 2 3
¿ 6 𝑥 −9 𝑥 𝑦 + 4 𝑥 𝑦 +12 𝑥 𝑦 −6 𝑥 𝑦 +8 𝑦
3 2 2 3
¿ 6 𝑥 −5 𝑥 𝑦 + 6 𝑥 𝑦 + 8 𝑦

Try & Check

Expand and Simplify
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1.4.3 Special Products

Two expressions of the form and are called conjugates. The

products related to these binomials are called special
products.
Formulas for Special Products
Product of Conjugates:
Square of a Binomial:
Square of a Binomial:

Derivation of

( 𝑎 − 𝑏 ) ( 𝑎 +𝑏 ) =𝑎𝑎+ 𝑎𝑏− 𝑏𝑎− 𝑏2

2 2
¿ 𝑎 +𝑎𝑏 −𝑎𝑏 −𝑏
2 2
¿ 𝑎 −𝑏
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Example 7: Identifying and Simplifying Special

Products

Multiply and simplify the following using special products:

Solution:
a)
Determine which special product ,
where and
is used
2 2
( 𝑎 − 𝑏 ) ( 𝑎 +𝑏 ) =𝑎 − 𝑏
Write the formula.

Substitute for and for . (

2
Simplify. ¿ 4 𝑥 −25
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Example 7: Continued

b)
Determine which special product with and .
is used
2 2 2
Write the formula. ( 𝑎 +𝑏 ) =𝑎 +2 𝑎𝑏+𝑏
2 2 2
Substitute for and for . ( 2 𝑥+5 ) =( 2 𝑥 ) + 2 ( 2 𝑥 ) 5+ 5
2
Simplify. ¿ 4 𝑥 + 20 𝑥 +25
c)
Determine which special product with and .
is used
2 2 2
Write the formula. ( 𝑎 − 𝑏 ) =𝑎 − 2 𝑎𝑏+ 𝑏
2 2
Substitute for and for . ( 2 𝑥 −5 ) =( 2 𝑥 ) −2 ( 2 𝑥 ) 5+5
2
Simplify. ¿ 4 𝑥 −20 𝑥 +25
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Try & Check

Perform the indicated operations and simplify.
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Example 8: Identifying and Simplifying Special Products

Derive a simplified formula for .

Solution:
Rewrite the expression ( 𝑎 +𝑏 )3=(𝑎 +𝑏) ( 𝑎+ 𝑏 )2
by using a special product.
2 2
Expand the square of the binomial. ¿ (𝑎 +𝑏)(𝑎 +2 𝑎𝑏+𝑏 )
2 2 2
Use distributive law. ¿ 𝑎 𝑎 + 𝑎 ( 2 𝑎𝑏 ) +𝑎 𝑏 +𝑏 𝑎 +𝑏 ( 2 𝑎𝑏
3 2 2 3
Simplify. ¿ 𝑎 +3 𝑎 𝑏+3 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏

Try & Check

Derive a formula for the expansion of .
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END OF LECTURE