POWERS
by Eyvind H.
For the expression U4, 4 is the exponent and
U is the base.
Adding and Subtracting:
When adding or subtracting powers, there are rules you must follow:
- The base and the exponent must be the same.
eg: a3 + a3 = 2a3
but a2 + a3 you can't add. The exponents are different.
- You keep the exponent and add or subtract the number directly before the base. If there is no number shown, there is a 1.
eg: 2a3 + 4a3 = 6a3
eg: 6a2 - a2 = 5a2
Multiplying and Dividing:
These too have rules:
- When multiplying you keep the base and add the exponents.
eg: a2 x a3 = a5
- The numbers in front of the base are multiplied.
eg: 3a3 x 5a4 = 15a7
- If negative numbers are involved, count the negatives in the specific operation and if even, the answer is positive and if there is an uneven amount, the answer is negative.
eg: -2a2 x 5a3 = -10a5 (one negative, so answer is negative)
- When dividing you keep the base and subtract the exponent.
eg: a5 / a3 = a2
- The numbers before the base are divided.
eg: 8a7 / 4a2 = 2a5
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