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Rule:
For all numbers x (not
zero) and
all integers m and n ,
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"This simply means
...
when you are dividing,
and the bases are the |
same,
you SUBTRACT
the exponents."
(top exponent subtract bottom exponent) |
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Consider:. ..when in doubt, expand terms
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Observe this
rule at work in the following examples: |
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1. |
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The bases are the same (both 2's), so the
exponents are subtracted. |
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2. |
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The bases are the same, so the exponents are
subtracted. Notice how the numbers in front of the bases (7 and
1) are being divided. |
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3. |
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The bases are the same (both a's), so the
exponents are subtracted.
Remember: top exponent minus bottom exponent. |
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4. |
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The bases are the same, so the exponents are
subtracted.
The numbers in front of the bases are divided.
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5. |
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The exponents are subtracted for the bases
that are the SAME. The numbers in front, the coefficients,
are divided. |
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6. |
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Notice what happened to the bases with the
same exponents -- they reduced to the number 1. |
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7. |
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Remember: top exponent minus bottom
exponent.
Remember: negative exponents can be written as a fraction. |
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