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How to Solve Zero Exponents

An exponent is a number that is written on the upper right side of another number, or base. The exponent is written smaller than the base number. The exponent indicates how many times the base must be multiplied by itself. Certain rules govern operations involving exponents. One of simplest of these rules pertains to the number zero as an exponent.

Instructions

    • 1

      Write the answer "1" for any base raised to the zero power. For instance, 3^0 = 1.

    • 2

      Write the answer "1" for a base within parentheses that has a zero exponent. For example, (5)^0=1.

    • 3

      Write the answer "1" for a base with a zero exponent that is located within a fraction. Then simplify the fraction if possible. For instance, 1/5^0 = 1/1, which is "1" when you simplify the fraction. Another example would be 2^0/6 = 1/6. This fraction is already in its simplest form.

    • 4

      Replace a base raised to the zero power within an addition, subtraction, division or multiplication problem as "1" and continue the operations of the problem. For instance:

      4^0 + 9 = 1 + 9 = 10

      7^0 - 1 = 1 - 1 = 0

      20^0 / 2 = 1 / 2 = 0.5

      540^0 x 40 = 1 x 40 = 40

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