body{margin:0;} noscript{z-index: 10000; position: fixed; display: block; height: 100%; width: 100%; background: #fff;} noscript .fa{font-size: 40px; display:block; color: #daa520;} noscript div{margin-top: 6%; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; text-align: center;} ! You must have JavaScript enabled to use this site.

Big Ideas Math: Modeling Real Life, Grade 8

BI

Big Ideas Math: Modeling Real Life, Grade 8 View details

4. Zero and Negative Exponents

Continue to next subchapter

Exercise 18 Page 341

What does the definition of a negative exponent say?

1/243

Practice makes perfect

To simplify the given exponential expression, we will use two Properties of Exponents. The first one is the Product of Powers Property.

Product of Powers Property
To multiply powers with the same base, add their exponents.

We will also use the definition of a negative exponent.

Negative Exponents
a^(- n)=1/a^n, for every nonzero number a

Let's simplify the given expression using these properties.

3^(- 3) * 3^(- 2)

a^m*a^n=a^(m+n)

3^(- 3 + (- 2))

a+(- b)=a-b

3^(- 5)

NegExponentToFrac

a^(- m)=1/a^m

1/3^5

Calculate power

1/243

Subchapter links

Try It p.338-339

Self-Assessment for Concepts & Skills p.339

Self-Assessment for Problem Solving p.340

Review & Refresh p.341

Concepts, Skills, & Problem Solving p.341-342