5-1 Laws of Exponents (Zeros and Negatives)

Laws of Exponents
5-1 Zero and Negative Exponents

ANY base with an exponent of 0 is equal to 1.

*BUT the base CANNOT be ZERO.

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Zero Exponent

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

• 0

• 7

• 1

• -1

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

• 100

• 10

• 0

• 1

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

• 1

• x

• 0

• 10x

Remember you still have to follow your order of operations:

Parenthesis
Exponents
Multiply/Divide
Addition/Subtraction

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Zero Exponent continued...

Example 1:

-(9)⁰​ + 4

= -1 + 4

= 3

Example 2:

7 + 3(a)⁰​ - 4a²

= 7 + 3(1) - 4a²

= 7 + 3 - 4a²

= 10 - 4a²

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

• -1

• 1

• -7

• 0

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

• 0

• -2

• 1

• 4

• A negative exponent means the base is in the wrong place

• It does NOT mean the number is negative!

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​Negative Exponents

• Base stays the same.

• Cross the line and change the sign.

• Simplify the coefficients (whole numbers), if needed. ​

​Rule for Negative Exponents

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to:

Multiple Choice

What is the solution to: