Walking the Corridors of Power

Are you intimidated by the power rules?

Are you intimidated by the power rules?

OBJECTIVES: To learn the power rules or laws of exponents

Watch the demo that illustrates the POWER RULES or LAWS OF EXPONENTS in a Graspable Math Canvas. Then answer the questions that follow.

QUESTION 1: What happens to the exponents in multiplication? QUESTION 2: What happens to the exponents in division? QUESTION 3: What happens to an exponent outside the parentheses? QUESTION 4: What happens to a negative exponent if it crosses the fraction bar? QUESTION 5: What happens to a variable or number raised to zero exponent? QUESTION 6: What happens to a variable or number raised to the first power?

SO HOW does it feel to walk the corridors of power?

March, stroll, saunter, stride, glide, pace, sashay, mosey, move any way you want. BUT JUST KEEP ON WALKING! Here's a couple of applets that will help you do just that.

Applet 1 by Lee W Fisher

Applet 2 by Lee W Fisher

NOW that you know the Power Rules, there's no need to be intimidated by them!

Below is a set of problems that require you to apply the Power Rules or Laws of Exponents. First, solve the problems mentally or on scratch paper. Then check the Answer Box below for the correct answers. REMEMBER: You can add or subtract exponents only if you have COMMON bases. Watch out for tricky problems!

Power Rules

ANSWER BOX:

Check out the answers to the above problems here.

TODAY you learned how to apply the Power Rules or Laws of Exponents.

In future lessons, you'll learn how to apply these rules to more complex algebraic expressions. Did you have FUN walking the corridors of power?