Laws of Exponent: Grade 9

Grade
MATHEMATICS
QUARTER 2 – MODULE 2
MELC 4
Laws of Exponent
PART I. Introduction and Discussion
In this module, you’re going learn how to apply the laws involving positive
integral exponents to zero and negative integral exponents.
Recall the expression , a is called the base and x is called the exponent, meaning
for =a·a·a····a
x times
Examples:
1. =2·2·2·2·2=32
2. =3a·3a·3a·3a=81
Recall also the Laws of Exponent

I. For multiplication, when the bases are alike (Product of Powers)
· =
Illustration:
· =
II. For multiplication, when the bases are different, but the exponents are alike
(Power of a Product)
= ·
Illustration:
· =
III. For division, when the bases are alike,(Quotient of Powers)
Illustration:
IV. For division, when the bases are different but the exponents are alike (Power
of a Fraction)
( ) =
Illustration:
=
V. For raising to Powers (Power of a Power)
=
Illustration:
=
Up to this time, these laws have been applied only to exponents which were
positive integers, and when the results of their application produced only positive
integral exponents.
Now we shall define the new exponents which you are about to study so that
they will be in harmony with the above laws to all kinds of exponents regardless
of the form of the result.
The Zero Exponent
According to Law III, = , Since this is true for all values of m and n, It
is true when m equals n, it follows that:
= =
But if we divide Numerator by Denominator
=1
Therefore, =1, since both are equal to the same thing.
We assume in the above discussion that a≠0, why?
Principle:
Any number, or algebraic expression (except 0), having a zero exponent

has a numerical value of 1.
Thus: 50 =1, 10000 = 1, ( ) = 1
The Negative Exponent

If we apply Law III to the expression = =
But, = , since =1
Therefore, = , (since both are equal to the same thing)
Also = =
Principle:
Any quantity with a negative exponent is equal to the reciprocal of that
quantity with the corresponding positive exponent.
From this principle, we can see that:

a. Changing the sign of an exponent is equivalent to inverting the base, so
= , of course =( ) . So, is the original base (a) inverted. This
variation is helpful if we have a fractional base raised to a negative power.
For example, ( ) would become which is or . However, using the
( )
suggestion in this paragraph ( ) =( ) = .. This is much simpler and

more direct. Then, if the base is inverted and the sign of the exponent is
also changed, the value of the expression has not been altered. Thus,
( ) =( )
b. Any factor of the numerator of a fraction maybe transferred to the
denominator, or any factor of the denominator transferred to the numerator
if the sign of its exponent is changed.
Thus, =
Note:
= cannot be changed because and are terms and not factors.
Or
( )
-> Applying the laws for Negative Exponent
-> Multiply and Simplify
÷ = ▪ -> Divide the Expression
-> Multiply Numerator to Numerator and Denominator to

denominator
B. Illustrative Examples:
Zero Exponents
Examples:
1. =1 2. ( ) =1 3. ( =1 4.
5 =5▪1=5
Negative Exponents
Examples:
1.( ) =( ) = 2. = b2b = b3 or b2-(-1) = b2+1 = b3
3. Express this value using only Positive exponents
= =
Or
* +
= =( )( ) =
( )
PART II. Activities
Activity I.
A. Fill me Completely
I. Complete the table with the correct answer. The first raw is done for
you.
Evaluate Quotient Answer Divide Answer Conclude

Rule Expression
by itself
1. 1
2.
3.
Activity II.
A. Evaluate
Quotient Answer Arithmetic Answer Conclude

Rule Solution
1. =
2.
3.
B. Express the value of each of the following, using only positive

exponents.
1.
2. ▪
3.
4.
5.
C. Replace Me
Replace n to make each sentence true
1. =
2. =
3. =
4. =
5. =2b
Key Answer
Activity I
Evaluate Quotient Answer Divide Answer Conclude
Rule Expression
by itself
4. 1
5. 1
6. 1
Activity II A
Quotient Answer Arithmetic Solution Answer Conclude

Rule
4. =
5. =
6. =
B
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
C
1. n=-5
2. n=2
3. n=-10
4. n=12
5. n=3
References:
Intermediate Algebra, Myron White

Math II: Intermediate Algebra
2002 Basic Education Curriculum
Mathematics Grade 9 Learner’s Material
First Edition, 2014
PART III. Assessment
I. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer

1. What is the simplified form of
a. c. 25
b. d. 125
2. Simplify 2-1( )
a. c. xy
b. ±2 d. undefined
3. Simplify a0b2c3
b-2c-1
4 4
a. b c c. 0
b. b3c3 d. undefined
4. Which is greater, or ?
a. c. they are the same
b. d. zero is greater
5. Simplify using any positive exponents ( )
a. m-2 c.
b. d. -
6. Simplify using any positive exponents ( )

a. c.
b. 0 d. 1
7. Complete the equation by supplying the missing exponent.
▪n2▪m3=m11n2
a. 4 c. -8
b. -3 d. 8
8. Which of the following equation is correct?
a. = c. =
b. = d. =
9. Evaluate the Expression.

a. c.
b. d.
10. Apply the quotient rule for exponents, if applicable, and write the result
using only positive exponents.
a. c.
b. d.
11. Simplify the expression. Write only positive exponents. ( )
a. c.
b. d.
12. Apply the product rule for exponents ( )( )

a. c.
b. d.
For numbers 13-15, Simplify the expression so that no negative

exponents appear in the result. Assume all variables represent nonzero
number.
13.
a. c.
b. d.
14. ( )-4
a. c.
b. d.
15.
a. c.
b. d.

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Grade

Recall also the Laws of Exponent

The Zero Exponent

But if we divide Numerator by Denominator

Therefore, =1, since both are equal to the same thing.

We assume in the above discussion that a≠0, why?

Any number, or algebraic expression (except 0), having a zero exponent

Thus: 50 =1, 10000 = 1, ( ) = 1

The Negative Exponent

From this principle, we can see that:

suggestion in this paragraph ( ) =( ) = .. This is much simpler and

-> Multiply and Simplify

÷ = ▪ -> Divide the Expression

-> Multiply Numerator to Numerator and Denominator to

3. Express this value using only Positive exponents

Evaluate Quotient Answer Divide Answer Conclude

Quotient Answer Arithmetic Answer Conclude

B. Express the value of each of the following, using only positive

Quotient Answer Arithmetic Solution Answer Conclude

Intermediate Algebra, Myron White

I. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer

6. Simplify using any positive exponents ( )

9. Evaluate the Expression.

12. Apply the product rule for exponents ( )( )

For numbers 13-15, Simplify the expression so that no negative

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