Last updated on July 15th, 2025
Exponents show repeated multiplication of the same number. Here, the base is multiplied by itself as many times as indicated by the exponents. Exponent rules make it easy for us to simplify expressions involving the basic arithmetic operations, such as addition and subtraction, that have exponents. In this article, we will learn more about the exponent rules.
1. Product Rule: When multiplying powers with the same base, add the exponents.
am × an = am+n
2. Quotient Rule: When dividing powers with the same base, subtract the exponents.
am/an = am-n
3. Power of a Power Rule: When raising a power to another power, multiply the exponents.
(am)n = am·n
4. Power of a Product Rule: Distribute the exponent to each factor inside the parentheses.
(ab)n = an. bn
5. Power of the Quotient Rule: Distribute the exponent to both the numerator and denominator.
(a/b)n = an/bn as long as b ≠ 0
6. Zero Exponent Rule: Any non-zero base raised to the power of 0 is 1.
a0 = 1 as long as a ≠ 0
7. Negative Exponent Rule: A negative exponent means to take the reciprocal.
a-n = 1/an, a ≠ 0
1. Product of Powers: When you multiply expressions with the same base, add the exponents. If am . ah is the expression, then the product will be: am. ah = am+n
Example: x3. x2 = x3+2 = x5
2. Quotient of Powers: When you divide expressions with the same base, subtract the exponents, like am/an = am-n as long as α = 0
Example: y5/y2 = y5-2 = y3
3. Power of a Power: When you raise an exponent to another exponent, multiply them, like
(am)n = am . n
Example: (x2)4 = x2 . 4 = x2
4. Power of a Product: Distribute the exponent to each factor inside the parentheses, like
(a b)n= an . b2
Example: (3x)2= 32 . x2 = 9x2
5. Power of a Quotient: Distribute the exponent to both the numerator and the denominator,
like (a/b)n = an/bn as long as b=0
Example: (x/y)3 = x3/y3
6. Zero Exponent: Anything (except 0) raised to the 0 power will be 1
ao= 1 (if α=0)
Examples: 5o = 1
7. Negative Exponent: A negative exponent means to take the reciprocal, like
a-n = 1an (if α = 0)
Example: x-3 = 1/x3
If you're dividing two powers that have the same base, you just subtract the exponents, like
am/an = am-n as long as =0
Example: x7/x3 = x7-3 = x4
The Zero Law of Exponents (also called the Zero Exponent Rule) says that any non-zero number raised to the power of 0 is equal to 1.
ao = 1 (as long as α=0)
If you raise any non-zero number to the 0 power, the result will always be 1, regardless of how small or big the number is.
If a number has a negative exponent, take the reciprocal to make the exponent positive.
a-n = 1/an , a ≠ 0
The Power of a Power Law, also called the Power Rule, tells you what to do when you raise a power to another power.
(am)n = am . n
If you have an exponent raised to another exponent, you multiply the exponents.
The Power of a Product Rule helps you simplify expressions when a product (multiplication) is raised to a power.
(abn)n = an . bn
When you have two things multiplied together inside parentheses, and the whole thing is raised to a power, we apply the exponent to each factor.
The Power of a Quotient Rule helps you simplify expressions when a fraction (quotient) is raised to a power.
(a/b)n = an/bn as long as α = 0 and b ≠ 0
When a fraction is raised to a power, you give that power to both the top and the bottom of the fraction.
The fractional exponents rule (also called the rational exponents rule) helps you understand what it means when an exponent is a fraction.
am/n = (n√a) m = n√am, where a ≥ 0
The denominator of the fraction (the bottom number) tells you the nth root. The numerator (the top number) tells you the power.
Rule Name | Rule | Example |
Product of Powers | am . an = am+n | x2 . x3 = x5 |
Quotient of Powers | am/an = am-n | y5/y2 = y3 |
Power of a Power | (am)n = am . n | (x2)3 = x6 |
Power of a Product | (αb)n = an . bn | (2x)3= 8x3 |
Power of a Quotient | (a/b)n = an/bn | (x/y)2 = x2/y2 |
Zero Exponent | ao = 1(if a=0) | 7o = 1 |
Negative Exponent | a-n = 1/an | x-3 = 1/x3 |
Fractional Exponents | a=n√am | 272/3 = 9 |
The Exponent rules are applied when problems with exponents are included. They are applied in real life, such as population change, money growth, and so on. Given below are a few real-life applications of the topic given. Are some exponent rules that we use in our lives.
Understanding exponent rules is essential in algebra, but it’s easy to slip up without realizing it. This quick guide highlights the most frequent mistakes students make, like confusing when to add or multiply exponents, misusing negative exponents, or forgetting parentheses, and shows simple tips to avoid them and solve problems accurately.
What is 2 to the 3rd power times 2 to the 2nd power?
25 = 32
When multiplying the same bases, add the exponents: 3 + 2 = 5.
What is 5 to the 6th power divided by 5 to the 2nd power?
54 = 625
When dividing the same bases, subtract the exponents: 6–2 = 4.
What is (32)3 raised to the 3rd power?
36 = 729
When raising a power to another power, multiply the exponents: 2 × 3 = 6.
What is 2x²?
4x2
Apply the exponent to both 2 and x: 2² = 4, x² = x².
What is (y divided by 3) squared?
y²/9
Apply the exponent to both the numerator and the denominator: y² and 3² = 9.
Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
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