Exponent Rules

Why the rules work

An interactive lesson with 7 steps, about 6 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Multiplying adds exponents. Dividing subtracts them. A power of a power multiplies them.
• $a^0 = 1$ and $a^{-n} = 1/a^n$ follow from the halving (or dividing) pattern.
• When in doubt, write out the copies.

Steps

1. Multiply powers
2. The rules
3. Walking down the powers
4. Zero power
5. Negative powers
6. Clever products
7. Simplify