Multiplying Exponents and Negative Exponents

Simplify. Express your answer as a single term using exponents.

Simplify. Express your answer as a single term using exponents.

When multiplying powers with the same base, you can use the ___________________.

• Product Rule

• Quotient Rule

• Negative Exponent Rule

• Zero Rule

When using the Product Rule, you _________________________.

• multiply the bases and multiply the exponents

• keep the base and add the exponents

• keep the base and subtract the exponents

• keep the base and change the negative exponent to a positive.

Type your final answer in the fraction form. No equal sign please.

Mathematical Equivalence

ON

According to exponent rules, if you have a negative exponent, you use the ____________________.

• negative

• reciprocal

• positive

UNDERSTANDING
If the exponent is a negative number...

• you will get a large number

• you will get a small number

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

x^-3

• 1/x³

• 1/x^-3

• 3x

• 1/3x

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.