Basic Algebra: Zero Exponents and Negative Exponents

1

A. Zero Rule for Exponents






Example 1
a.
0
4 b. ( )
0
4


Video for Example1




c.
0
4 d.
0
z







e.
0
4z f. ( )
0
4z

0
0 b =

*When raising a number to a zero power, it always equals
one.
Basic Algebra: Zero Exponents and Negative Exponents
2

B. Rule for Negative Exponents









Example 2
a.
3
c

b.
1
5

Video for Example 2 a-h



c. ( )
4
3

d.
2
1
4

| |
|
\ .






e.
3
3
5

| |
|
\ .
f.
5
1
y

1
1
n
n
n
n
b
b
b
b

=
=


*An expression is not simplified completely if it contains negative
exponents. Always simplify negative powers to make them positive.
Basic Algebra: Zero Exponents and Negative Exponents
3

g. ( )
3
5x

h.
3
5x

C. Simplify the Expression Completely
Example 3
3 2
5
a b
c

Video for C 3, 4







Example 4
2 7
3
x x
x

Basic Algebra: Zero Exponents and Negative Exponents
4

Example 5
2
4 4 8
z
w w z

Video for C 5-7








Example 6
( )
3
2
4ab

Example 7
1
4 3
2
2
5
p q
p q

| |
|
\ .



Basic Algebra: Zero Exponents and Negative Exponents
5

Example 8 Video for 8 and 9
( )( )
1 4 5 2
2 5

q p q p








Example 9
( )
( )
2
4 2
3
2 3
3
2

y x
y x













Example 10 Video
( )
|
.
|

\
|

2 4
3
27
3
b a
ab
a