This week we learned about exponents both positive and negative and we also learned about laws and rules of exponents.

An example that we learned.

In this problem, we are trying to figure out the answer while having a positive exponent. As you can see our base is X and when both our bases are the same we can move them together which is why X is remaining. We aren’t done there though.

We now have to deal with our exponents. We can go ahead and do the equation which leaves us with a remainder of 5.

Our answer is X to the power of 5.

Now these exponents won’t always work out this easily. When we are multiplying we add or our exponents because “exponents are lazy”. If we have a division question we will be subtracting our exponents. If we end up with an answer that has a negative exponents is when things get a bit tough. We then have to flip our equation in order to get the exponent to a positive.

Here is an example.