Laws of Exponents with Zero and Negative

Anything raised to a power of zero is always: 

• 0

• 1

• itself

• negative

n⁰ =

• 1

• 0

• 5^-8
• 5²
• 25^-8
• 25²

Simplify

• 0

• -1

• 1

• -8.6

Make this negative exponent positive.
9^-3

• 9³

• 1/9^-3

• 1/9³

• 729

Rewrite this expression using a positive exponent.

4^-3

Mathematical Equivalence

ON

When you see a negative exponent... (check ALL that apply)

• ... if it is in the numerator, flip it to the denominator and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the numerator, keep it there and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the denominator, keep it there and make the exponent positive

• ... if it is in the denominator, flip it to the numerator and make the exponent positive

Find the missing exponent.

• 1

• 2

• 0

• 10

Simplify

• 1/16

• -1/32

• 1/32

• 1/10

It is not proper to write answers with negative exponents. How do we "take care of" negative exponents?

• Write no solution if there is a negative exponent

• Just leave the negative exponent. It is mathematically okay.