# Portal

You are here: Home » Content » Exponents and Scientific Notation

### Recently Viewed

This feature requires Javascript to be enabled.

# Exponents and Scientific Notation

Module by: First Last. E-mail the author

Summary: In this section students will:

• Use the product rule of exponents.
• Use the quotient rule of exponents.
• Use the power rule of exponents.
• Use the zero exponent rule of exponents.
• Use the negative rule of exponents.
• Find the power of a product and a quotient.
• Simplify exponential expressions.
• Use scientific notation.

Note: You are viewing an old style version of this document. The new style version is available here.

Mathematicians, scientists, and economists commonly encounter very large and very small numbers. But it may not be obvious how common such figures are in everyday life. For instance, a pixel is the smallest unit of light that can be perceived and recorded by a digital camera. A particular camera might record an image that is 2,048 pixels by 1,536 pixels, which is a very high resolution picture. It can also perceive a color depth (gradations in colors) of up to 48 bits per frame, and can shoot the equivalent of 24 frames per second. The maximum possible number of bits of information used to film a one-hour (3,600-second) digital film is then an extremely large number.

Using a calculator, we enter 2,048×1,536×48×24×3,600 2,048×1,536×48×24×3,600 and press ENTER. The calculator displays 1.304596316E13. What does this mean? The “E13” portion of the result represents the exponent 13 of ten, so there are a maximum of approximately 1.3× 10 13 1.3× 10 13 bits of data in that one-hour film. In this section, we review rules of exponents first and then apply them to calculations involving very large or small numbers.

## Using the Product Rule of Exponents

Consider the product x 3 x 4 . x 3 x 4 . Both terms have the same base, x, but they are raised to different exponents. Expand each expression, and then rewrite the resulting expression.

x3x4 = xxx3 factorsxxxx 4 factors = xxxxxxx7 factors = x7 x3x4 = xxx3 factorsxxxx 4 factors = xxxxxxx7 factors = x7

The result is that x 3 x 4 = x 3+4 = x 7 . x 3 x 4 = x 3+4 = x 7 .

Notice that the exponent of the product is the sum of the exponents of the terms. In other words, when multiplying exponential expressions with the same base, we write the result with the common base and add the exponents. This is the product rule of exponents.

a m a n = a m+n a m a n = a m+n

Now consider an example with real numbers.

2 3 2 4 = 2 3+4 = 2 7 2 3 2 4 = 2 3+4 = 2 7

We can always check that this is true by simplifying each exponential expression. We find that 2 3 2 3 is 8, 2 4 2 4 is 16, and 2 7 2 7 is 128. The product 816 816 equals 128, so the relationship is true. We can use the product rule of exponents to simplify expressions that are a product of two numbers or expressions with the same base but different exponents.

### A General Note: The Product Rule of Exponents:

For any real number a a and natural numbers m m and n, n, the product rule of exponents states that

a m a n = a m+n a m a n = a m+n

### Example 1

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Product Rule

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

1. t 5 t 3 t 5 t 3
2. ( −3 ) 5 ( −3 ) ( −3 ) 5 ( −3 )
3. x 2 x 5 x 3 x 2 x 5 x 3
##### Solution

Use the product rule to simplify each expression.

1. t 5 t 3 = t 5+3 = t 8 t 5 t 3 = t 5+3 = t 8
2. ( −3 ) 5 ( −3 )= ( −3 ) 5 ( −3 ) 1 = ( −3 ) 5+1 = ( −3 ) 6 ( −3 ) 5 ( −3 )= ( −3 ) 5 ( −3 ) 1 = ( −3 ) 5+1 = ( −3 ) 6
3. x 2 x 5 x 3 x 2 x 5 x 3

At first, it may appear that we cannot simplify a product of three factors. However, using the associative property of multiplication, begin by simplifying the first two.

x 2 x 5 x 3 =( x 2 x 5 ) x 3 =( x 2+5 ) x 3 = x 7 x 3 = x 7+3 = x 10 x 2 x 5 x 3 =( x 2 x 5 ) x 3 =( x 2+5 ) x 3 = x 7 x 3 = x 7+3 = x 10

Notice we get the same result by adding the three exponents in one step.

x 2 x 5 x 3 = x 2+5+3 = x 10 x 2 x 5 x 3 = x 2+5+3 = x 10

### Try It:

#### Exercise 1

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

1. k 6 k 9 k 6 k 9
2. ( 2 y ) 4 ( 2 y ) ( 2 y ) 4 ( 2 y )
3. t 3 t 6 t 5 t 3 t 6 t 5
##### Solution
1. k 15 k 15
2. ( 2 y ) 5 ( 2 y ) 5
3. t 14 t 14

## Using the Quotient Rule of Exponents

The quotient rule of exponents allows us to simplify an expression that divides two numbers with the same base but different exponents. In a similar way to the product rule, we can simplify an expression such as y m y n , y m y n , where m>n. m>n. Consider the example y 9 y 5 . y 9 y 5 . Perform the division by canceling common factors.

y9y5 = yyyyyyyyyyyyyy = yyyyyyyyyyyyyy = yyyy1 = y4 y9y5 = yyyyyyyyyyyyyy = yyyyyyyyyyyyyy = yyyy1 = y4

Notice that the exponent of the quotient is the difference between the exponents of the divisor and dividend.

a m a n = a mn a m a n = a mn

In other words, when dividing exponential expressions with the same base, we write the result with the common base and subtract the exponents.

y 9 y 5 = y 95 = y 4 y 9 y 5 = y 95 = y 4

For the time being, we must be aware of the condition m>n. m>n. Otherwise, the difference mn mn could be zero or negative. Those possibilities will be explored shortly. Also, instead of qualifying variables as nonzero each time, we will simplify matters and assume from here on that all variables represent nonzero real numbers.

### A General Note: The Quotient Rule of Exponents:

For any real number a a and natural numbers m m and n, n, such that m>n, m>n, the quotient rule of exponents states that

a m a n = a mn a m a n = a mn
(10)

### Example 2

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Quotient Rule

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

1. ( −2 ) 14 ( −2 ) 9 ( −2 ) 14 ( −2 ) 9
2. t 23 t 15 t 23 t 15
3. ( z 2 ) 5 z 2 ( z 2 ) 5 z 2
##### Solution

Use the quotient rule to simplify each expression.

1. ( −2 ) 14 ( −2 ) 9 = ( −2 ) 149 = ( −2 ) 5 ( −2 ) 14 ( −2 ) 9 = ( −2 ) 149 = ( −2 ) 5
2. t 23 t 15 = t 2315 = t 8 t 23 t 15 = t 2315 = t 8
3. ( z 2 ) 5 z 2 = ( z 2 ) 51 = ( z 2 ) 4 ( z 2 ) 5 z 2 = ( z 2 ) 51 = ( z 2 ) 4

### Try It:

#### Exercise 2

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

1. s 75 s 68 s 75 s 68
2. ( −3 ) 6 −3 ( −3 ) 6 −3
3. ( e f 2 ) 5 ( e f 2 ) 3 ( e f 2 ) 5 ( e f 2 ) 3
##### Solution
1. s 7 s 7
2. ( −3 ) 5 ( −3 ) 5
3. ( e f 2 ) 2 ( e f 2 ) 2

## Using the Power Rule of Exponents

Suppose an exponential expression is raised to some power. Can we simplify the result? Yes. To do this, we use the power rule of exponents. Consider the expression ( x 2 ) 3 . ( x 2 ) 3 . The expression inside the parentheses is multiplied twice because it has an exponent of 2. Then the result is multiplied three times because the entire expression has an exponent of 3.

(x2)3 = (x2)(x2)(x2)3 factors = (xx2 factors)(xx 2 factors)(xx2 factors)3 factors = xxxxxx = x6 (x2)3 = (x2)(x2)(x2)3 factors = (xx2 factors)(xx 2 factors)(xx2 factors)3 factors = xxxxxx = x6

The exponent of the answer is the product of the exponents: ( x 2 ) 3 = x 23 = x 6 . ( x 2 ) 3 = x 23 = x 6 . In other words, when raising an exponential expression to a power, we write the result with the common base and the product of the exponents.

( a m ) n = a mn ( a m ) n = a mn

Be careful to distinguish between uses of the product rule and the power rule. When using the product rule, different terms with the same bases are raised to exponents. In this case, you add the exponents. When using the power rule, a term in exponential notation is raised to a power. In this case, you multiply the exponents.

Product Rule  Power Rule 5 3 5 4 = 5 3+4 = 5 7 but   ( 5 3 ) 4 = 5 34 = 5 12 x 5 x 2 = x 5+2 = x 7 but ( x 5 ) 2 = x 52 = x 10 (3a) 7 (3a) 10 = (3a) 7+10 = (3a) 17 but ( (3a) 7 ) 10 = (3a) 710 = (3a) 70 Product Rule  Power Rule 5 3 5 4 = 5 3+4 = 5 7 but   ( 5 3 ) 4 = 5 34 = 5 12 x 5 x 2 = x 5+2 = x 7 but ( x 5 ) 2 = x 52 = x 10 (3a) 7 (3a) 10 = (3a) 7+10 = (3a) 17 but ( (3a) 7 ) 10 = (3a) 710 = (3a) 70

### A General Note: The Power Rule of Exponents:

For any real number a a and positive integers m m and n, n, the power rule of exponents states that

( a m ) n = a mn ( a m ) n = a mn
(14)

### Example 3

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Power Rule

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

1. ( x 2 ) 7 ( x 2 ) 7
2. ( ( 2t ) 5 ) 3 ( ( 2t ) 5 ) 3
3. ( ( −3 ) 5 ) 11 ( ( −3 ) 5 ) 11
##### Solution

Use the power rule to simplify each expression.

1. ( x 2 ) 7 = x 27 = x 14 ( x 2 ) 7 = x 27 = x 14
2. ( ( 2t ) 5 ) 3 = ( 2t ) 53 = ( 2t ) 15 ( ( 2t ) 5 ) 3 = ( 2t ) 53 = ( 2t ) 15
3. ( ( −3 ) 5 ) 11 = ( −3 ) 511 = ( −3 ) 55 ( ( −3 ) 5 ) 11 = ( −3 ) 511 = ( −3 ) 55

### Try It:

#### Exercise 3

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

1. ( ( 3y ) 8 ) 3 ( ( 3y ) 8 ) 3
2. ( t 5 ) 7 ( t 5 ) 7
3. ( ( g ) 4 ) 4 ( ( g ) 4 ) 4
##### Solution
1. ( 3y ) 24 ( 3y ) 24
2. t 35 t 35
3. ( g ) 16 ( g ) 16

## Using the Zero Exponent Rule of Exponents

Return to the quotient rule. We made the condition that m>n m>n so that the difference mn mn would never be zero or negative. What would happen if m=n? m=n? In this case, we would use the zero exponent rule of exponents to simplify the expression to 1. To see how this is done, let us begin with an example.

t 8 t 8 = t 8 t 8 =1 t 8 t 8 = t 8 t 8 =1

If we were to simplify the original expression using the quotient rule, we would have

t 8 t 8 = t 88 = t 0 t 8 t 8 = t 88 = t 0

If we equate the two answers, the result is t 0 =1. t 0 =1. This is true for any nonzero real number, or any variable representing a real number.

a 0 =1 a 0 =1

The sole exception is the expression 0 0 . 0 0 . This appears later in more advanced courses, but for now, we will consider the value to be undefined.

### A General Note: The Zero Exponent Rule of Exponents:

For any nonzero real number a, a, the zero exponent rule of exponents states that

a 0 =1 a 0 =1
(18)

### Example 4

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Zero Exponent Rule

Simplify each expression using the zero exponent rule of exponents.

1. c 3 c 3 c 3 c 3
2. −3 x 5 x 5 −3 x 5 x 5
3. ( j 2 k ) 4 ( j 2 k ) ( j 2 k ) 3 ( j 2 k ) 4 ( j 2 k ) ( j 2 k ) 3
4. 5 ( r s 2 ) 2 ( r s 2 ) 2 5 ( r s 2 ) 2 ( r s 2 ) 2
##### Solution

Use the zero exponent and other rules to simplify each expression.

1. c3c3 = c33 = c0 = 1 c3c3 = c33 = c0 = 1

2. −3x5x5 = −3x5x5 = −3x55 = −3x0 = −31 = −3 −3x5x5 = −3x5x5 = −3x55 = −3x0 = −31 = −3

3. (j2k)4(j2k)(j2k)3 = (j2k)4(j2k)1+3 Use the product rule in the denominator. = (j2k)4(j2k)4 Simplify. = (j2k)44 Use the quotient rule. = (j2k)0 Simplify. = 1 (j2k)4(j2k)(j2k)3 = (j2k)4(j2k)1+3 Use the product rule in the denominator. = (j2k)4(j2k)4 Simplify. = (j2k)44 Use the quotient rule. = (j2k)0 Simplify. = 1

4. 5(r s 2)2(rs2)2 = 5(rs2)22 Use the quotient rule. = 5(rs2)0 Simplify. = 51 Use the zero exponent rule. = 5 Simplify. 5(r s 2)2(rs2)2 = 5(rs2)22 Use the quotient rule. = 5(rs2)0 Simplify. = 51 Use the zero exponent rule. = 5 Simplify.

### Try It:

#### Exercise 4

Simplify each expression using the zero exponent rule of exponents.

1. t 7 t 7 t 7 t 7
2. ( d e 2 ) 11 2 ( d e 2 ) 11 ( d e 2 ) 11 2 ( d e 2 ) 11
3. w 4 w 2 w 6 w 4 w 2 w 6
4. t 3 t 4 t 2 t 5 t 3 t 4 t 2 t 5
1. 1 1
2. 1 2 1 2
3. 1 1
4. 1 1

## Using the Negative Rule of Exponents

Another useful result occurs if we relax the condition that m>n m>n in the quotient rule even further. For example, can we simplify h 3 h 5 ? h 3 h 5 ? When m<n m<n —that is, where the difference mn mn is negative—we can use the negative rule of exponents to simplify the expression to its reciprocal.

Divide one exponential expression by another with a larger exponent. Use our example, h 3 h 5 . h 3 h 5 .

h3h5 = hhhhhhhh = hhhhhhhh = 1hh = 1h2 h3h5 = hhhhhhhh = hhhhhhhh = 1hh = 1h2

If we were to simplify the original expression using the quotient rule, we would have

h3h5 = h35 =  h−2 h3h5 = h35 =  h−2

Putting the answers together, we have h −2 = 1 h 2 . h −2 = 1 h 2 . This is true for any nonzero real number, or any variable representing a nonzero real number.

A factor with a negative exponent becomes the same factor with a positive exponent if it is moved across the fraction bar—from numerator to denominator or vice versa.

a n = 1 a n and a n = 1 a n a n = 1 a n and a n = 1 a n

We have shown that the exponential expression a n a n is defined when n n is a natural number, 0, or the negative of a natural number. That means that a n a n is defined for any integer n. n. Also, the product and quotient rules and all of the rules we will look at soon hold for any integer n. n.

### A General Note: The Negative Rule of Exponents:

For any nonzero real number a a and natural number n, n, the negative rule of exponents states that

a n = 1 a n a n = 1 a n
(22)

### Example 5

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Negative Exponent Rule

Write each of the following quotients with a single base. Do not simplify further. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. θ 3 θ 10 θ 3 θ 10
2. z 2 z z 4 z 2 z z 4
3. ( −5 t 3 ) 4 ( −5 t 3 ) 8 ( −5 t 3 ) 4 ( −5 t 3 ) 8
##### Solution
1. θ 3 θ 10 = θ 310 = θ −7 = 1 θ 7 θ 3 θ 10 = θ 310 = θ −7 = 1 θ 7
2. z 2 z z 4 = z 2+1 z 4 = z 3 z 4 = z 34 = z −1 = 1 z z 2 z z 4 = z 2+1 z 4 = z 3 z 4 = z 34 = z −1 = 1 z
3. ( −5 t 3 ) 4 ( −5 t 3 ) 8 = ( −5 t 3 ) 48 = ( −5 t 3 ) −4 = 1 ( −5 t 3 ) 4 ( −5 t 3 ) 4 ( −5 t 3 ) 8 = ( −5 t 3 ) 48 = ( −5 t 3 ) −4 = 1 ( −5 t 3 ) 4

### Try It:

#### Exercise 5

Write each of the following quotients with a single base. Do not simplify further. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. ( −3t ) 2 ( −3t ) 8 ( −3t ) 2 ( −3t ) 8
2. f 47 f 49 f f 47 f 49 f
3. 2 k 4 5 k 7 2 k 4 5 k 7
##### Solution
1. 1 ( −3t ) 6 1 ( −3t ) 6
2. 1 f 3 1 f 3
3. 2 5 k 3 2 5 k 3

### Example 6

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Product and Quotient Rules

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. b 2 b −8 b 2 b −8
2. ( x ) 5 ( x ) −5 ( x ) 5 ( x ) −5
3. −7z ( −7z ) 5 −7z ( −7z ) 5
##### Solution
1. b 2 b −8 = b 28 = b −6 = 1 b 6 b 2 b −8 = b 28 = b −6 = 1 b 6
2. ( x ) 5 ( x ) −5 = ( x ) 55 = ( x ) 0 =1 ( x ) 5 ( x ) −5 = ( x ) 55 = ( x ) 0 =1
3. −7z ( −7z ) 5 = ( −7z ) 1 ( −7z ) 5 = ( −7z ) 15 = ( −7z ) −4 = 1 ( −7z ) 4 −7z ( −7z ) 5 = ( −7z ) 1 ( −7z ) 5 = ( −7z ) 15 = ( −7z ) −4 = 1 ( −7z ) 4

### Try It:

#### Exercise 6

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. t −11 t 6 t −11 t 6
2. 25 12 25 13 25 12 25 13
##### Solution
1. t −5 = 1 t 5 t −5 = 1 t 5
2. 1 25 1 25

## Finding the Power of a Product

To simplify the power of a product of two exponential expressions, we can use the power of a product rule of exponents, which breaks up the power of a product of factors into the product of the powers of the factors. For instance, consider ( pq ) 3 . ( pq ) 3 . We begin by using the associative and commutative properties of multiplication to regroup the factors.

(pq)3 = (pq)(pq)(pq) 3 factors = pqpqpq = ppp 3 factors qqq 3 factors = p3q3 (pq)3 = (pq)(pq)(pq) 3 factors = pqpqpq = ppp 3 factors qqq 3 factors = p3q3

In other words, ( pq ) 3 = p 3 q 3 . ( pq ) 3 = p 3 q 3 .

### A General Note: The Power of a Product Rule of Exponents:

For any real numbers a a and b b and any integer n, n, the power of a product rule of exponents states that

( ab ) n = a n b n ( ab ) n = a n b n
(24)

### Example 7

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Power of a Product Rule

Simplify each of the following products as much as possible using the power of a product rule. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. ( a b 2 ) 3 ( a b 2 ) 3
2. ( 2t ) 15 ( 2t ) 15
3. ( −2 w 3 ) 3 ( −2 w 3 ) 3
4. 1 ( −7z ) 4 1 ( −7z ) 4
5. ( e −2 f 2 ) 7 ( e −2 f 2 ) 7
##### Solution

Use the product and quotient rules and the new definitions to simplify each expression.

1. ( a b 2 ) 3 = ( a ) 3 ( b 2 ) 3 = a 13 b 23 = a 3 b 6 ( a b 2 ) 3 = ( a ) 3 ( b 2 ) 3 = a 13 b 23 = a 3 b 6
2. ( 2t ) 15 = ( 2 ) 15 ( t ) 15 = 2 15 t 15 =32,768 t 15 ( 2t ) 15 = ( 2 ) 15 ( t ) 15 = 2 15 t 15 =32,768 t 15
3. ( −2 w 3 ) 3 = ( −2 ) 3 ( w 3 ) 3 =−8 w 33 =−8 w 9 ( −2 w 3 ) 3 = ( −2 ) 3 ( w 3 ) 3 =−8 w 33 =−8 w 9
4. 1 ( −7z ) 4 = 1 ( −7 ) 4 ( z ) 4 = 1 2,401 z 4 1 ( −7z ) 4 = 1 ( −7 ) 4 ( z ) 4 = 1 2,401 z 4
5. ( e −2 f 2 ) 7 = ( e −2 ) 7 ( f 2 ) 7 = e −27 f 27 = e −14 f 14 = f 14 e 14 ( e −2 f 2 ) 7 = ( e −2 ) 7 ( f 2 ) 7 = e −27 f 27 = e −14 f 14 = f 14 e 14

### Try It:

#### Exercise 7

Simplify each of the following products as much as possible using the power of a product rule. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. ( g 2 h 3 ) 5 ( g 2 h 3 ) 5
2. ( 5t ) 3 ( 5t ) 3
3. ( −3 y 5 ) 3 ( −3 y 5 ) 3
4. 1 ( a 6 b 7 ) 3 1 ( a 6 b 7 ) 3
5. ( r 3 s −2 ) 4 ( r 3 s −2 ) 4
##### Solution
1. g 10 h 15 g 10 h 15
2. 125 t 3 125 t 3
3. −27 y 15 −27 y 15
4. 1 a 18 b 21 1 a 18 b 21
5. r 12 s 8 r 12 s 8

## Finding the Power of a Quotient

To simplify the power of a quotient of two expressions, we can use the power of a quotient rule, which states that the power of a quotient of factors is the quotient of the powers of the factors. For example, let’s look at the following example.

( e −2 f 2 ) 7 = f 14 e 14 ( e −2 f 2 ) 7 = f 14 e 14

Let’s rewrite the original problem differently and look at the result.

(e−2f2)7 = ( f2 e2)7 = f14e14 (e−2f2)7 = ( f2 e2)7 = f14e14

It appears from the last two steps that we can use the power of a product rule as a power of a quotient rule.

( e 2 f 2 ) 7 = ( f 2 e 2 ) 7 = ( f 2 ) 7 ( e 2 ) 7 = f 27 e 27 = f 14 e 14 ( e 2 f 2 ) 7 = ( f 2 e 2 ) 7 = ( f 2 ) 7 ( e 2 ) 7 = f 27 e 27 = f 14 e 14

### A General Note: The Power of a Quotient Rule of Exponents:

For any real numbers a a and b b and any integer n, n, the power of a quotient rule of exponents states that

( a b ) n = a n b n ( a b ) n = a n b n
(28)

### Example 8

#### Problem 1

##### Using the Power of a Quotient Rule

Simplify each of the following quotients as much as possible using the power of a quotient rule. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. ( 4 z 11 ) 3 ( 4 z 11 ) 3
2. ( p q 3 ) 6 ( p q 3 ) 6
3. ( −1 t 2 ) 27 ( −1 t 2 ) 27
4. ( j 3 k −2 ) 4 ( j 3 k −2 ) 4
5. ( m −2 n −2 ) 3 ( m −2 n −2 ) 3
##### Solution
1. ( 4 z 11 ) 3 = ( 4 ) 3 ( z 11 ) 3 = 64 z 113 = 64 z 33 ( 4 z 11 ) 3 = ( 4 ) 3 ( z 11 ) 3 = 64 z 113 = 64 z 33
2. ( p q 3 ) 6 = ( p ) 6 ( q 3 ) 6 = p 16 q 36 = p 6 q 18 ( p q 3 ) 6 = ( p ) 6 ( q 3 ) 6 = p 16 q 36 = p 6 q 18
3. ( −1 t 2 ) 27 = ( −1 ) 27 ( t 2 ) 27 = −1 t 227 = −1 t 54 = 1 t 54 ( −1 t 2 ) 27 = ( −1 ) 27 ( t 2 ) 27 = −1 t 227 = −1 t 54 = 1 t 54
4. ( j 3 k −2 ) 4 = ( j 3 k 2 ) 4 = ( j 3 ) 4 ( k 2 ) 4 = j 34 k 24 = j 12 k 8 ( j 3 k −2 ) 4 = ( j 3 k 2 ) 4 = ( j 3 ) 4 ( k 2 ) 4 = j 34 k 24 = j 12 k 8
5. ( m −2 n −2 ) 3 = ( 1 m 2 n 2 ) 3 = ( 1 ) 3 ( m 2 n 2 ) 3 = 1 ( m 2 ) 3 ( n 2 ) 3 = 1 m 23 n 23 = 1 m 6 n 6 ( m −2 n −2 ) 3 = ( 1 m 2 n 2 ) 3 = ( 1 ) 3 ( m 2 n 2 ) 3 = 1 ( m 2 ) 3 ( n 2 ) 3 = 1 m 23 n 23 = 1 m 6 n 6

### Try It:

#### Exercise 8

Simplify each of the following quotients as much as possible using the power of a quotient rule. Write answers with positive exponents.

1. ( b 5 c ) 3 ( b 5 c ) 3
2. ( 5 u 8 ) 4 ( 5 u 8 ) 4
3. ( −1 w 3 ) 35 ( −1 w 3 ) 35
4. ( p −4 q 3 ) 8 ( p −4 q 3 ) 8
5. ( c −5 d −3 ) 4 ( c −5 d −3 ) 4
##### Solution
1. b 15 c 3 b 15 c 3
2. 625 u 32 625 u 32
3. −1 w 105 −1 w 105
4. q 24 p 32 q 24 p 32
5. 1 c 20 d 12 1 c 20 d 12

## Simplifying Exponential Expressions

Recall that to simplify an expression means to rewrite it by combing terms or exponents; in other words, to write the expression more simply with fewer terms. The rules for exponents may be combined to simplify expressions.

### Example 9

#### Problem 1

##### Simplifying Exponential Expressions

Simplify each expression and write the answer with positive exponents only.

1. ( 6 m 2 n −1 ) 3 ( 6 m 2 n −1 ) 3
2. 17 5 17 −4 17 −3 17 5 17 −4 17 −3
3. ( u −1 v v −1 ) 2 ( u −1 v v −1 ) 2
4. ( −2 a 3 b −1 )( 5 a −2 b 2 ) ( −2 a 3 b −1 )( 5 a −2 b 2 )
5. ( x 2 2 ) 4 ( x 2 2 ) −4 ( x 2 2 ) 4 ( x 2 2 ) −4
6. ( 3 w 2 ) 5 ( 6 w −2 ) 2 ( 3 w 2 ) 5 ( 6 w −2 ) 2
##### Solution

1. (6 m 2 n −1 ) 3 = (6) 3 ( m 2 ) 3 ( n −1 ) 3 The power of a product rule = 6 3 m 23 n −13 The power rule =  216 m 6 n −3 Simplify. = 216 m 6 n 3 The negative exponent rule (6 m 2 n −1 ) 3 = (6) 3 ( m 2 ) 3 ( n −1 ) 3 The power of a product rule = 6 3 m 23 n −13 The power rule =  216 m 6 n −3 Simplify. = 216 m 6 n 3 The negative exponent rule

2. 17 5 17 −4 17 −3 = 17 543 The product rule = 17 −2 Simplify. = 1 17 2  or  1 289 The negative exponent rule 17 5 17 −4 17 −3 = 17 543 The product rule = 17 −2 Simplify. = 1 17 2  or  1 289 The negative exponent rule

3. ( u −1 v v −1 ) 2 = ( u −1 v) 2 ( v −1 ) 2 The power of a quotient rule = u −2 v 2 v −2 The power of a product rule = u −2 v 2(−2) The quotient rule = u −2 v 4 Simplify. = v 4 u 2 The negative exponent rule ( u −1 v v −1 ) 2 = ( u −1 v) 2 ( v −1 ) 2 The power of a quotient rule = u −2 v 2 v −2 The power of a product rule = u −2 v 2(−2) The quotient rule = u −2 v 4 Simplify. = v 4 u 2 The negative exponent rule

4. (−2 a 3 b 1 )(5 a −2 b 2 ) = −25 a 3 a −2 b −1 b 2 Commutative and associative laws of multiplication = −10 a 32 b −1+2 The product rule = −10ab Simplify. (−2 a 3 b 1 )(5 a −2 b 2 ) = −25 a 3 a −2 b −1 b 2 Commutative and associative laws of multiplication = −10 a 32 b −1+2 The product rule = −10ab Simplify.

5. ( x 2 2 ) 4 ( x 2 2 ) −4 = ( x 2 2 ) 44 The product rule =   ( x 2 2 ) 0 Simplify. = 1 The zero exponent rule ( x 2 2 ) 4 ( x 2 2 ) −4 = ( x 2 2 ) 44 The product rule =   ( x 2 2 ) 0 Simplify. = 1 The zero exponent rule

6. (3 w 2 ) 5 (6 w −2 ) 2 = (3) 5 ( w 2 ) 5 (6) 2 ( w −2 ) 2 The power of a product rule = 3 5 w 25 6 2 w −22 The power rule = 243 w 10 36 w −4 Simplify. = 27 w 10(−4) 4 The quotient rule and reduce fraction = 27 w 14 4 Simplify. (3 w 2 ) 5 (6 w −2 ) 2 = (3) 5 ( w 2 ) 5 (6) 2 ( w −2 ) 2 The power of a product rule = 3 5 w 25 6 2 w −22 The power rule = 243 w 10 36 w −4 Simplify. = 27 w 10(−4) 4 The quotient rule and reduce fraction = 27 w 14 4 Simplify.

### Try It:

#### Exercise 9

Simplify each expression and write the answer with positive exponents only.

1. ( 2u v 2 ) −3 ( 2u v 2 ) −3
2. x 8 x −12 x x 8 x −12 x
3. ( e 2 f 3 f −1 ) 2 ( e 2 f 3 f −1 ) 2
4. ( 9 r −5 s 3 )( 3 r 6 s −4 ) ( 9 r −5 s 3 )( 3 r 6 s −4 )
5. ( 4 9 t w −2 ) −3 ( 4 9 t w −2 ) 3 ( 4 9 t w −2 ) −3 ( 4 9 t w −2 ) 3
6. ( 2 h 2 k ) 4 ( 7 h −1 k 2 ) 2 ( 2 h 2 k ) 4 ( 7 h −1 k 2 ) 2
##### Solution
1. v 6 8 u 3 v 6 8 u 3
2. 1 x 3 1 x 3
3. e 4 f 4 e 4 f 4
4. 27r s 27r s
5. 1 1
6. 16 h 10 49 16 h 10 49

## Using Scientific Notation

Recall at the beginning of the section that we found the number 1.3× 10 13 1.3× 10 13 when describing bits of information in digital images. Other extreme numbers include the width of a human hair, which is about 0.00005 m, and the radius of an electron, which is about 0.00000000000047 m. How can we effectively work read, compare, and calculate with numbers such as these?

A shorthand method of writing very small and very large numbers is called scientific notation, in which we express numbers in terms of exponents of 10. To write a number in scientific notation, move the decimal point to the right of the first digit in the number. Write the digits as a decimal number between 1 and 10. Count the number of places n that you moved the decimal point. Multiply the decimal number by 10 raised to a power of n. If you moved the decimal left as in a very large number, n n is positive. If you moved the decimal right as in a small large number, n n is negative.

For example, consider the number 2,780,418. Move the decimal left until it is to the right of the first nonzero digit, which is 2.

We obtain 2.780418 by moving the decimal point 6 places to the left. Therefore, the exponent of 10 is 6, and it is positive because we moved the decimal point to the left. This is what we should expect for a large number.

2.780418× 10 6 2.780418× 10 6

Working with small numbers is similar. Take, for example, the radius of an electron, 0.00000000000047 m. Perform the same series of steps as above, except move the decimal point to the right.

Be careful not to include the leading 0 in your count. We move the decimal point 13 places to the right, so the exponent of 10 is 13. The exponent is negative because we moved the decimal point to the right. This is what we should expect for a small number.

4.7× 10 −13 4.7× 10 −13

### A General Note: Scientific Notation:

A number is written in scientific notation if it is written in the form a× 10 n , a× 10 n ,where 1| a |<10 1| a |<10 and n n is an integer.

### Example 10

#### Problem 1

##### Converting Standard Notation to Scientific Notation

Write each number in scientific notation.

1. Distance to Andromeda Galaxy from Earth: 24,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 m
2. Diameter of Andromeda Galaxy: 1,300,000,000,000,000,000,000 m
3. Number of stars in Andromeda Galaxy: 1,000,000,000,000
4. Diameter of electron: 0.00000000000094 m
5. Probability of being struck by lightning in any single year: 0.00000143
##### Solution

1. 24,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 24,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 22 places 2.4× 10 22  m 24,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 24,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 22 places 2.4× 10 22  m

2. 1,300,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 1,300,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 21 places 1.3× 10 21  m 1,300,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 1,300,000,000,000,000,000,000 m 21 places 1.3× 10 21  m

3. 1,000,000,000,000 1,000,000,000,000 12 places 1× 10 12 1,000,000,000,000 1,000,000,000,000 12 places 1× 10 12

4. 0.00000000000094 m 0.00000000000094 m 13 places 9.4× 10 −13  m 0.00000000000094 m 0.00000000000094 m 13 places 9.4× 10 −13  m

5. 0.00000143 0.00000143 6 places 1.43× 10 −6 0.00000143 0.00000143 6 places 1.43× 10 −6
##### Analysis

Observe that, if the given number is greater than 1, as in examples a–c, the exponent of 10 is positive; and if the number is less than 1, as in examples d–e, the exponent is negative.

### Try It:

#### Exercise 10

Write each number in scientific notation.

1. U.S. national debt per taxpayer (April 2014): $152,000 2. World population (April 2014): 7,158,000,000 3. World gross national income (April 2014):$85,500,000,000,000
4. Time for light to travel 1 m: 0.00000000334 s
5. Probability of winning lottery (match 6 of 49 possible numbers): 0.0000000715
##### Solution
1. $1.52× 10 5$1.52× 10 5
2. 7.158× 10 9 7.158× 10 9
3. $8.55× 10 13$8.55× 10 13
4. 3.34× 10 −9 3.34× 10 −9
5. 7.15× 10 −8 7.15× 10 −8

### Converting from Scientific to Standard Notation

To convert a number in scientific notation to standard notation, simply reverse the process. Move the decimal n n places to the right if n n is positive or n n places to the left if n n is negative and add zeros as needed. Remember, if n n is positive, the value of the number is greater than 1, and if n n is negative, the value of the number is less than one.

#### Example 11

##### Problem 1
###### Converting Scientific Notation to Standard Notation

Convert each number in scientific notation to standard notation.

1. 3.547× 10 14 3.547× 10 14
2. −2× 10 6 −2× 10 6
3. 7.91× 10 −7 7.91× 10 −7
4. −8.05× 10 −12 −8.05× 10 −12
###### Solution

1. 3.547× 10 14 3.54700000000000 14 places 354,700,000,000,000 3.547× 10 14 3.54700000000000 14 places 354,700,000,000,000

2. −2× 10 6 −2.000000 6 places −2,000,000 −2× 10 6 −2.000000 6 places −2,000,000

3. 7.91× 10 −7 0000007.91 7 places 0.000000791 7.91× 10 −7 0000007.91 7 places 0.000000791

4. −8.05× 10 −12 −000000000008.05 12 places −0.00000000000805 −8.05× 10 −12 −000000000008.05 12 places −0.00000000000805

#### Try It:

##### Exercise 11

Convert each number in scientific notation to standard notation.

1. 7.03× 10 5 7.03× 10 5
2. −8.16× 10 11 −8.16× 10 11
3. −3.9× 10 −13 −3.9× 10 −13
4. 8× 10 −6 8× 10 −6
###### Solution
1. 703,000 703,000
2. −816,000,000,000 −816,000,000,000
3. −0.00000000000039 −0.00000000000039
4. 0.000008 0.000008

### Using Scientific Notation in Applications

Scientific notation, used with the rules of exponents, makes calculating with large or small numbers much easier than doing so using standard notation. For example, suppose we are asked to calculate the number of atoms in 1 L of water. Each water molecule contains 3 atoms (2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen). The average drop of water contains around 1.32× 10 21 1.32× 10 21 molecules of water and 1 L of water holds about 1.22× 10 4 1.22× 10 4 average drops. Therefore, there are approximately 3( 1.32× 10 21 )( 1.22× 10 4 )4.83× 10 25 3( 1.32× 10 21 )( 1.22× 10 4 )4.83× 10 25 atoms in 1 L of water. We simply multiply the decimal terms and add the exponents. Imagine having to perform the calculation without using scientific notation!

When performing calculations with scientific notation, be sure to write the answer in proper scientific notation. For example, consider the product ( 7× 10 4 )( 5× 10 6 )=35× 10 10 . ( 7× 10 4 )( 5× 10 6 )=35× 10 10 .The answer is not in proper scientific notation because 35 is greater than 10. Consider 35 as 3.5×10. 3.5×10.That adds a ten to the exponent of the answer.

( 35 )× 10 10 =( 3.5×10 )× 10 10 =3.5×( 10× 10 10 )=3.5× 10 11 ( 35 )× 10 10 =( 3.5×10 )× 10 10 =3.5×( 10× 10 10 )=3.5× 10 11

#### Example 12

##### Problem 1
###### Using Scientific Notation

Perform the operations and write the answer in scientific notation.

1. ( 8.14× 10 −7 )( 6.5× 10 10 ) ( 8.14× 10 −7 )( 6.5× 10 10 )
2. ( 4× 10 5 )÷( −1.52× 10 9 ) ( 4× 10 5 )÷( −1.52× 10 9 )
3. ( 2.7× 10 5 )( 6.04× 10 13 ) ( 2.7× 10 5 )( 6.04× 10 13 )
4. ( 1.2× 10 8 )÷( 9.6× 10 5 ) ( 1.2× 10 8 )÷( 9.6× 10 5 )
5. ( 3.33× 10 4 )( −1.05× 10 7 )( 5.62× 10 5 ) ( 3.33× 10 4 )( −1.05× 10 7 )( 5.62× 10 5 )
###### Solution

1. ( 8.14× 10 −7 )( 6.5× 10 10 ) = (8.14×6.5)( 10 −7 × 10 10 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication = (52.91)( 10 3 ) Product rule of exponents = 5.291× 10 4 Scientific notation ( 8.14× 10 −7 )( 6.5× 10 10 ) = (8.14×6.5)( 10 −7 × 10 10 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication = (52.91)( 10 3 ) Product rule of exponents = 5.291× 10 4 Scientific notation

2. ( 4× 10 5 )÷( −1.52× 10 9 ) = ( 4 −1.52 )( 10 5 10 9 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication (−2.63)( 10 −4 ) Quotient rule of exponents = −2.63× 10 −4 Scientific notation ( 4× 10 5 )÷( −1.52× 10 9 ) = ( 4 −1.52 )( 10 5 10 9 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication (−2.63)( 10 −4 ) Quotient rule of exponents = −2.63× 10 −4 Scientific notation

3. ( 2.7× 10 5 )( 6.04× 10 13 ) = (2.7×6.04)( 10 5 × 10 13 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication = (16.308)( 10 18 ) Product rule of exponents = 1.6308× 10 19 Scientific notation ( 2.7× 10 5 )( 6.04× 10 13 ) = (2.7×6.04)( 10 5 × 10 13 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication = (16.308)( 10 18 ) Product rule of exponents = 1.6308× 10 19 Scientific notation

4. ( 1.2× 10 8 )÷( 9.6× 10 5 ) = ( 1.2 9.6 )( 10 8 10 5 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication = (0.125)( 10 3 ) Quotient rule of exponents = 1.25× 10 2 Scientific notation ( 1.2× 10 8 )÷( 9.6× 10 5 ) = ( 1.2 9.6 )( 10 8 10 5 ) Commutative and associative properties of multiplication = (0.125)( 10 3 ) Quotient rule of exponents = 1.25× 10 2 Scientific notation

5. ( 3.33× 10 4 )( −1.05× 10 7 )( 5.62× 10 5 ) = [3.33×(−1.05)×5.62]( 10 4 × 10 7 × 10 5 ) (−19.65)( 10 16 ) = −1.965× 10 17 ( 3.33× 10 4 )( −1.05× 10 7 )( 5.62× 10 5 ) = [3.33×(−1.05)×5.62]( 10 4 × 10 7 × 10 5 ) (−19.65)( 10 16 ) = −1.965× 10 17

#### Try It:

##### Exercise 12

Perform the operations and write the answer in scientific notation.

1. ( −7.5× 10 8 )( 1.13× 10 −2 ) ( −7.5× 10 8 )( 1.13× 10 −2 )
2. ( 1.24× 10 11 )÷( 1.55× 10 18 ) ( 1.24× 10 11 )÷( 1.55× 10 18 )
3. ( 3.72× 10 9 )( 8× 10 3 ) ( 3.72× 10 9 )( 8× 10 3 )
4. ( 9.933× 10 23 )÷( 2.31× 10 17 ) ( 9.933× 10 23 )÷( 2.31× 10 17 )
5. ( −6.04× 10 9 )( 7.3× 10 2 )( −2.81× 10 2 ) ( −6.04× 10 9 )( 7.3× 10 2 )( −2.81× 10 2 )
###### Solution
1. 8.475× 10 6 8.475× 10 6
2. 8× 10 8 8× 10 8
3. 2.976× 10 13 2.976× 10 13
4. 4.3× 10 6 4.3× 10 6
5. 1.24× 10 15 1.24× 10 15

#### Try It:

##### Exercise 13

An average human body contains around 30,000,000,000,000 red blood cells. Each cell measures approximately 0.000008 m long. Write each number in scientific notation and find the total length if the cells were laid end-to-end. Write the answer in both scientific and standard notations.

###### Solution

Number of cells: 3× 10 13 ; 3× 10 13 ; length of a cell: 8× 10 −6 8× 10 −6 m; total length: 2.4× 10 8 2.4× 10 8 m or 240,000,000 240,000,000 m.

### Media:

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with exponents and scientific notation.

## Key Equations

 Rules of Exponents For nonzero real numbers  a   a  and  b   b  and integers  m   m  and  n   n Product rule a m ⋅ a n = a m+n a m ⋅ a n = a m+n Quotient rule a m a n = a m−n a m a n = a m−n Power rule ( a m ) n = a m⋅n ( a m ) n = a m⋅n Zero exponent rule a 0 =1 a 0 =1 Negative rule a −n = 1 a n a −n = 1 a n Power of a product rule ( a⋅b ) n = a n ⋅ b n ( a⋅b ) n = a n ⋅ b n Power of a quotient rule ( a b ) n = a n b n ( a b ) n = a n b n

## Key Concepts

• Products of exponential expressions with the same base can be simplified by adding exponents. See Example 1.
• Quotients of exponential expressions with the same base can be simplified by subtracting exponents. See Example 2.
• Powers of exponential expressions with the same base can be simplified by multiplying exponents. See Example 3.
• An expression with exponent zero is defined as 1. See Example 4.
• An expression with a negative exponent is defined as a reciprocal. See Example 5 and Example 6.
• The power of a product of factors is the same as the product of the powers of the same factors. See Example 7.
• The power of a quotient of factors is the same as the quotient of the powers of the same factors. See Example 8.
• The rules for exponential expressions can be combined to simplify more complicated expressions. See Example 9.
• Scientific notation uses powers of 10 to simplify very large or very small numbers. See Example 10 and Example 11.
• Scientific notation may be used to simplify calculations with very large or very small numbers. See Example 12 and Example 13.

## Section Exercises

### Verbal

#### Exercise 14

Is 2 3 2 3 the same as 3 2 ? 3 2 ? Explain.

##### Solution

No, the two expressions are not the same. An exponent tells how many times you multiply the base. So 2 3 2 3 is the same as 2×2×2, 2×2×2, which is 8. 3 2 3 2 is the same as 3×3, 3×3, which is 9.

#### Exercise 15

When can you add two exponents?

#### Exercise 16

What is the purpose of scientific notation?

##### Solution

It is a method of writing very small and very large numbers.

#### Exercise 17

Explain what a negative exponent does.

### Numeric

For the following exercises, simplify the given expression. Write answers with positive exponents.

9 2 9 2

81

15 −2 15 −2

#### Exercise 20

3 2 × 3 3 3 2 × 3 3

243

4 4 ÷4 4 4 ÷4

#### Exercise 22

( 2 2 ) −2 ( 2 2 ) −2

1 16 1 16

(58) 0 (58) 0

#### Exercise 24

11 3 ÷ 11 4 11 3 ÷ 11 4

1 11 1 11

#### Exercise 25

6 5 × 6 −7 6 5 × 6 −7

#### Exercise 26

( 8 0 ) 2 ( 8 0 ) 2

1

#### Exercise 27

5 −2 ÷ 5 2 5 −2 ÷ 5 2

For the following exercises, write each expression with a single base. Do not simplify further. Write answers with positive exponents.

#### Exercise 28

4 2 × 4 3 ÷ 4 −4 4 2 × 4 3 ÷ 4 −4

4 9 4 9

#### Exercise 29

6 12 6 9 6 12 6 9

#### Exercise 30

( 12 3 ×12 ) 10 ( 12 3 ×12 ) 10

12 40 12 40

#### Exercise 31

10 6 ÷ ( 10 10 ) −2 10 6 ÷ ( 10 10 ) −2

#### Exercise 32

7 −6 × 7 −3 7 −6 × 7 −3

1 7 9 1 7 9

#### Exercise 33

( 3 3 ÷ 3 4 ) 5 ( 3 3 ÷ 3 4 ) 5

For the following exercises, express the decimal in scientific notation.

#### Exercise 34

0.0000314

##### Solution

3.14× 10 5 3.14× 10 5

#### Exercise 35

148,000,000

For the following exercises, convert each number in scientific notation to standard notation.

#### Exercise 36

1.6× 10 10 1.6× 10 10

16,000,000,000

#### Exercise 37

9.8× 10 −9 9.8× 10 −9

### Algebraic

For the following exercises, simplify the given expression. Write answers with positive exponents.

#### Exercise 38

a 3 a 2 a a 3 a 2 a

a 4 a 4

#### Exercise 39

m n 2 m −2 m n 2 m −2

#### Exercise 40

( b 3 c 4 ) 2 ( b 3 c 4 ) 2

b 6 c 8 b 6 c 8

#### Exercise 41

( x −3 y 2 ) −5 ( x −3 y 2 ) −5

#### Exercise 42

a b 2 ÷ d −3 a b 2 ÷ d −3

##### Solution

a b 2 d 3 a b 2 d 3

#### Exercise 43

( w 0 x 5 ) −1 ( w 0 x 5 ) −1

m 4 n 0 m 4 n 0

m 4 m 4

#### Exercise 45

y −4 ( y 2 ) 2 y −4 ( y 2 ) 2

#### Exercise 46

p −4 q 2 p 2 q −3 p −4 q 2 p 2 q −3

q 5 p 6 q 5 p 6

(l×w) 2 (l×w) 2

#### Exercise 48

( y 7 ) 3 ÷ x 14 ( y 7 ) 3 ÷ x 14

##### Solution

y 21 x 14 y 21 x 14

#### Exercise 49

( a 2 3 ) 2 ( a 2 3 ) 2

#### Exercise 50

5 2 m÷ 5 0 m 5 2 m÷ 5 0 m

25 25

#### Exercise 51

( 16 x ) 2 y −1 ( 16 x ) 2 y −1

#### Exercise 52

2 3 ( 3a ) −2 2 3 ( 3a ) −2

72 a 2 72 a 2

#### Exercise 53

( m a 6 ) 2 1 m 3 a 2 ( m a 6 ) 2 1 m 3 a 2

#### Exercise 54

( b −3 c ) 3 ( b −3 c ) 3

c 3 b 9 c 3 b 9

#### Exercise 55

( x 2 y 13 ÷ y 0 ) 2 ( x 2 y 13 ÷ y 0 ) 2

#### Exercise 56

( 9 z 3 ) −2 y ( 9 z 3 ) −2 y

##### Solution

y 81 z 6 y 81 z 6

### Real-World Applications

#### Exercise 57

To reach escape velocity, a rocket must travel at the rate of 2.2× 10 6 2.2× 10 6 ft/min. Rewrite the rate in standard notation.

#### Exercise 58

A dime is the thinnest coin in U.S. currency. A dime’s thickness measures 1.35× 10 −3 1.35× 10 −3 m. Rewrite the number in standard notation.

0.00135 m

#### Exercise 59

The average distance between Earth and the Sun is 92,960,000 mi. Rewrite the distance using scientific notation.

#### Exercise 60

A terabyte is made of approximately 1,099,500,000,000 bytes. Rewrite in scientific notation.

##### Solution

1.0995× 10 12 1.0995× 10 12

#### Exercise 61

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the United States in the first quarter of 2014 was $1.71496× 10 13 .$1.71496× 10 13 .Rewrite the GDP in standard notation.

#### Exercise 62

One picometer is approximately 3.397× 10 −11 3.397× 10 −11 in. Rewrite this length using standard notation.

##### Solution

0.00000000003397 in.

#### Exercise 63

The value of the services sector of the U.S. economy in the first quarter of 2012 was \$10,633.6 billion. Rewrite this amount in scientific notation.

### Technology

For the following exercises, use a graphing calculator to simplify. Round the answers to the nearest hundredth.

#### Exercise 64

( 12 3 m 33 4 −3 ) 2 ( 12 3 m 33 4 −3 ) 2

##### Solution

12,230,590,464 m 66 m 66

#### Exercise 65

17 3 ÷ 15 2 x 3 17 3 ÷ 15 2 x 3

### Extensions

For the following exercises, simplify the given expression. Write answers with positive exponents.

#### Exercise 66

( 3 2 a 3 ) −2 ( a 4 2 2 ) 2 ( 3 2 a 3 ) −2 ( a 4 2 2 ) 2

##### Solution

a 14 1296 a 14 1296

#### Exercise 67

( 6 2 −24 ) 2 ÷ ( x y ) −5 ( 6 2 −24 ) 2 ÷ ( x y ) −5

#### Exercise 68

m 2 n 3 a 2 c −3 a −7 n −2 m 2 c 4 m 2 n 3 a 2 c −3 a −7 n −2 m 2 c 4

n a 9 c n a 9 c

#### Exercise 69

( x 6 y 3 x 3 y −3 y −7 x −3 ) 10 ( x 6 y 3 x 3 y −3 y −7 x −3 ) 10

#### Exercise 70

( ( a b 2 c ) −3 b −3 ) 2 ( ( a b 2 c ) −3 b −3 ) 2

##### Solution

1 a 6 b 6 c 6 1 a 6 b 6 c 6

#### Exercise 71

Avogadro’s constant is used to calculate the number of particles in a mole. A mole is a basic unit in chemistry to measure the amount of a substance. The constant is 6.0221413× 10 23 . 6.0221413× 10 23 . Write Avogadro’s constant in standard notation.

#### Exercise 72

Planck’s constant is an important unit of measure in quantum physics. It describes the relationship between energy and frequency. The constant is written as 6.62606957× 10 −34 . 6.62606957× 10 −34 . Write Planck’s constant in standard notation.

##### Solution

0.000000000000000000000000000000000662606957

## Glossary

scientific notation:
a shorthand notation for writing very large or very small numbers in the form a× 10 n a× 10 n where 1| a |<10 1| a |<10 and n n is an integer

## Content actions

### Give feedback:

My Favorites (?)

'My Favorites' is a special kind of lens which you can use to bookmark modules and collections. 'My Favorites' can only be seen by you, and collections saved in 'My Favorites' can remember the last module you were on. You need an account to use 'My Favorites'.

| A lens I own (?)

#### Definition of a lens

##### Lenses

A lens is a custom view of the content in the repository. You can think of it as a fancy kind of list that will let you see content through the eyes of organizations and people you trust.

##### What is in a lens?

Lens makers point to materials (modules and collections), creating a guide that includes their own comments and descriptive tags about the content.

##### Who can create a lens?

Any individual member, a community, or a respected organization.

##### What are tags?

Tags are descriptors added by lens makers to help label content, attaching a vocabulary that is meaningful in the context of the lens.

| External bookmarks