Positive, Zero and Negative Exponents
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More Lessons for Grade 6
Math Worksheets
Videos, worksheets, stories and songs to help Grade 6 students learn how to evaluate positive, zero and negative exponents.
For example,
32 = 9, 30 = 1, 3-1= 1/3
There is also an explanation why a-b = 1/ab and why a0 =1
If the exponent is 0 then the answer is always 1.
For example, 80 = 1, 170 = 1
Some mathematicians define 00 = 1, whereas others leave it undefined
Positive and Negative Exponents
Positive exponents are easy, but what happens when you have zero for the exponent? Or even worse, a negative number?
Pattern for zero and negative exponents
Example:
53 = 5 • 5 • 5
52 = 5 • 5
51 = 5
50 = 1
5-1 = 1/5
5-2 = 1/52
5-3 = 1/53
Zero and negative exponent properties
Zero Exponent Property
Any quantity raised to the zero power equals 1.
Negative Exponent Property
a-n = the reciprocal of an
a-n = 1/an
Definitions, covers negative exponents and zero as an exponent
Negative Exponent Intuition
Intuition on why a-b = 1/ab (and why a0 = 1)
More Lessons for Grade 6
Math Worksheets
Videos, worksheets, stories and songs to help Grade 6 students learn how to evaluate positive, zero and negative exponents.
For example,
32 = 9, 30 = 1, 3-1= 1/3
There is also an explanation why a-b = 1/ab and why a0 =1
If the exponent is 0 then the answer is always 1.
For example, 80 = 1, 170 = 1
Some mathematicians define 00 = 1, whereas others leave it undefined
Positive and Negative Exponents
Positive exponents are easy, but what happens when you have zero for the exponent? Or even worse, a negative number?
Pattern for zero and negative exponents
Example:
53 = 5 • 5 • 5
52 = 5 • 5
51 = 5
50 = 1
5-1 = 1/5
5-2 = 1/52
5-3 = 1/53
Zero and negative exponent properties
Zero Exponent Property
Any quantity raised to the zero power equals 1.
Negative Exponent Property
a-n = the reciprocal of an
a-n = 1/an
Definitions, covers negative exponents and zero as an exponent
Negative Exponent Intuition
Intuition on why a-b = 1/ab (and why a0 = 1)
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