1. Negative and Zero Exponents
Foundations of Algebra

2. Zero Exponents
Anything to the zero power is equal to 1. 1 = a
Is anything divided by itself equal to 1? 1 4 3 = m n

3. Simplify

4. Negative Exponents
A negative exponent means you move the base to the other side (opposite side) of the fraction and make the exponent positive.
Notice that the base with the negative exponent moved and became positive!

5. You can’t have negative or zero exponents in your answer.
Simplify
You can’t have negative or zero exponents in your answer.

6. Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4.

7. There is another way of doing this without using negative exponents…
Simplify 2 3 8 x y =
You can’t leave the negative exponent
There is another way of doing this without using negative exponents…

8. Simplify
Get rid of the negative exponent. 7 1 a =

9. Simplify
Get rid of the negative exponent. 7 6 p q =

10. Get rid of the negative exponents.
Simplify
Get rid of the parenthesis.
Get rid of the negative exponents. 13 6 27 m n =

11. Simplify 1. 2. 3. 4.

12. Examples

13. More Examples

14. More Examples