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How to Simplify a Power Function

Simplifying expressions that contain power functions requires knowledge of the standard power rules. According to such rules, exponents can be added together in a multiplication problem and subtracted from one another in a division problem with like bases. It is important to rewrite each function before attempting a problem by arranging the variables in order of the highest exponent. Only then do like terms become evident and the expression can be simplified.

Instructions

  1. Multiplication

    • 1

      Add the exponents together when multiplying like bases with exponents. For example, multiply x^2 by x^3 by adding two plus three together to obtain the product, x^5.

    • 2

      Expand the problem out when a number is raised to a specific power. Multiply 6 by 6 in the expression 6^2 to get the answer, 36.

    • 3

      Multiply like bases within two separate expressions by adding the exponents together. Evaluate the expression (-2a^3b^2)(4a^5b^3), which simplifies as -8a^8b^5.

    Division

    • 4

      Divide like bases with exponents. Evaluate the function x^n/x^m by subtracting the exponent "n" from the exponent "m" to obtain, which becomes x^(n-m).

    • 5

      Find the quotient a^16/a^5 by subtracting the exponent 16 from 5 and obtaining the answer, a^11.

    • 6

      Evaluate the quotient (-3x^4y^7)/(-9xy^3) by subtracting the exponents of like bases, which simplifies to (1/3)x^3y^4.

    Zero Property

    • 7

      Evaluate an expression when zero is the exponent and "a" is a nonzero real number, a^0.

    • 8

      Simplify the function, a^0, using the zero power rule, which states that all numbers raised to the zero power simplify to 1.

    • 9

      Add the exponents 2^(-3) and 2^3 by adding the exponents (-3) and 3. Obtain the answer, 2^0, which is defined to be 1.

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