This document discusses basic operations with exponents. It explains that a power is a shorthand way of indicating repeated multiplication, with a base and exponent. The document outlines how to evaluate simple exponential expressions, fractional exponential expressions, expressions with a zero exponent, and expressions involving multiplication, addition or subtraction with exponents. It concludes by summarizing the steps to evaluate basic exponential expressions as: 1) evaluate the power, 2) perform any multiplication, and 3) perform any addition or subtraction, being careful to find a common denominator first if needed.

1. Exponents
Basic Operations

2. Objectives
• Key Concept: A power is a shorthand way of indicating repeated
multiplication. A power is comprised of a base and an exponent.
• Goal: Evaluate expressions containing exponents including these:

3. Bases and Exponents
•

4. Simple Exponential Expressions

5. Fractional Exponential Expressions
•

6. Fractional Exponential Expressions
Notice the first two examples are the same. The second step differs slightly because there are often
different ways to approach a problem.

7. The Zero Exponent
•

8. Multiplication with Exponents
•


9. Addition/Subtraction with Exponents
•


10. Putting it all together
•

11. Summary
The last slide shows the process we can use every time.
To evaluate basic exponential expressions, follow these steps:
1. Evaluate the power.
2. Perform any multiplication.
3. Perform any addition/subtraction.
(Don’t forget, you have to find a common denominator whenever you add or
subtract fractions.)

12. Review

13. Review