Login
📚 Elementary Algebra 2e
Chapters ▾

6.7 Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation

Use the Definition of a Negative Exponent

We saw that the Quotient Property for Exponents introduced earlier in this chapter, has two forms depending on whether the exponent is larger in the numerator or the denominator.

What if we just subtract exponents regardless of which is larger?

Let’s consider x2x5.

We subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator.

x2x5x25x−3

We can also simplify x2x5 by dividing out common factors:

Illustrated in this figure is x times x divided by x times x times x times x times x. Two xes cancel out in the numerator and denominator. Below this is the simplified term: 1 divided by x cubed.

This implies that x−3=1x3 and it leads us to the definition of a negative exponent.

The negative exponent tells us we can re-write the expression by taking the reciprocal of the base and then changing the sign of the exponent.

Any expression that has negative exponents is not considered to be in simplest form. We will use the definition of a negative exponent and other properties of exponents to write the expression with only positive exponents.

For example, if after simplifying an expression we end up with the expression x−3, we will take one more step and write 1x3. The answer is considered to be in simplest form when it has only positive exponents.

In Example 1 we raised an integer to a negative exponent. What happens when we raise a fraction to a negative exponent? We’ll start by looking at what happens to a fraction whose numerator is one and whose denominator is an integer raised to a negative exponent.

1an
Use the definition of a negative exponent, an=1an.11an
Simplify the complex fraction.1·an1
Multiply.an

This leads to the Property of Negative Exponents.

Suppose now we have a fraction raised to a negative exponent. Let’s use our definition of negative exponents to lead us to a new property.

Table 6.4
(34)−2
Use the definition of a negative exponent, an=1an.1(34)2
Simplify the denominator.1916
Simplify the complex fraction.169
But we know that 169 is (43)2.
This tells us that:(34)−2=(43)2

To get from the original fraction raised to a negative exponent to the final result, we took the reciprocal of the base—the fraction—and changed the sign of the exponent.

This leads us to the Quotient to a Negative Power Property.

When simplifying an expression with exponents, we must be careful to correctly identify the base.

We must be careful to follow the Order of Operations. In the next example, parts (a) and (b) look similar, but the results are different.

When a variable is raised to a negative exponent, we apply the definition the same way we did with numbers. We will assume all variables are non-zero.

When there is a product and an exponent we have to be careful to apply the exponent to the correct quantity. According to the Order of Operations, we simplify expressions in parentheses before applying exponents. We’ll see how this works in the next example.

With negative exponents, the Quotient Rule needs only one form aman=amn, for a0. When the exponent in the denominator is larger than the exponent in the numerator, the exponent of the quotient will be negative.

Simplify Expressions with Integer Exponents

All of the exponent properties we developed earlier in the chapter with whole number exponents apply to integer exponents, too. We restate them here for reference.

In the next two examples, we’ll start by using the Commutative Property to group the same variables together. This makes it easier to identify the like bases before using the Product Property.

In the next two examples, we’ll use the Power Property and the Product to a Power Property.

To simplify a fraction, we use the Quotient Property and subtract the exponents.

Convert from Decimal Notation to Scientific Notation

Remember working with place value for whole numbers and decimals? Our number system is based on powers of 10. We use tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on. Our decimal numbers are also based on powers of tens—tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and so on. Consider the numbers 4,000 and 0.004. We know that 4,000 means 4×1,000 and 0.004 means 4×11,000.

If we write the 1000 as a power of ten in exponential form, we can rewrite these numbers in this way:

4,0000.0044×1,0004×11,0004×1034×11034×10−3

When a number is written as a product of two numbers, where the first factor is a number greater than or equal to one but less than 10, and the second factor is a power of 10 written in exponential form, it is said to be in scientific notation.

It is customary in scientific notation to use as the × multiplication sign, even though we avoid using this sign elsewhere in algebra.

If we look at what happened to the decimal point, we can see a method to easily convert from decimal notation to scientific notation.

This figure illustrates how to convert a number to scientific notation. It has two columns. In the first column is 4000 equals 4 times 10 to the third power. Below this, the equation is repeated, with an arrow demonstrating that the decimal point at the end of 4000 has moved three places to the left, so that 4000 becomes 4.000. The second column has 0.004 equals 4 times 10 to the negative third power. Below this, the equation is repeated, with an arrow demonstrating how the decimal point in 0.004 is moved three places to the right to produce 4.

In both cases, the decimal was moved 3 places to get the first factor between 1 and 10.

The power of 10 is positive when the number is larger than 1:4,000=4×103The power of 10 is negative when the number is between 0 and 1:0.004=4×10−3

Convert Scientific Notation to Decimal Form

How can we convert from scientific notation to decimal form? Let’s look at two numbers written in scientific notation and see.

9.12×1049.12×10−49.12×10,0009.12×0.000191,2000.000912

If we look at the location of the decimal point, we can see an easy method to convert a number from scientific notation to decimal form.

9.12×104=91,2009.12×10−4=0.000912

This figure has two columns. In the left column is 9.12 times 10 to the fourth power equals 91,200. Below this, the same scientific notation is repeated, with an arrow showing the decimal point in 9.12 being moved four places to the right. Because there are no digits after 2, the final two places are represented by blank spaces. Below this is the text “Move the decimal point four places to the right.” In the right column is 9.12 times 10 to the negative fourth power equals 0.000912. Below this, the same scientific notation is repeated, with an arrow showing the decimal point in 9.12 being moved four places to the left. Because there are no digits before 9, the remaining three places are represented by spaces. Below this is the text “Move the decimal point 4 places to the left.”

In both cases the decimal point moved 4 places. When the exponent was positive, the decimal moved to the right. When the exponent was negative, the decimal point moved to the left.

The steps are summarized below.

Multiply and Divide Using Scientific Notation

Astronomers use very large numbers to describe distances in the universe and ages of stars and planets. Chemists use very small numbers to describe the size of an atom or the charge on an electron. When scientists perform calculations with very large or very small numbers, they use scientific notation. Scientific notation provides a way for the calculations to be done without writing a lot of zeros. We will see how the Properties of Exponents are used to multiply and divide numbers in scientific notation.

Key Concepts

  • Property of Negative Exponents
    • If n is a positive integer and a0, then 1an=an
  • Quotient to a Negative Exponent
    • If a,b are real numbers, b0 and n is an integer, then (ab)n=(ba)n
  • To convert a decimal to scientific notation:
    1. Move the decimal point so that the first factor is greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10.
    2. Count the number of decimal places, n, that the decimal point was moved.
    3. Write the number as a product with a power of 10. If the original number is:
      • greater than 1, the power of 10 will be 10n
      • between 0 and 1, the power of 10 will be 10n
    4. Check.

  • To convert scientific notation to decimal form:
    1. Determine the exponent, n, on the factor 10.
    2. Move the decimal nplaces, adding zeros if needed.
      • If the exponent is positive, move the decimal point n places to the right.
      • If the exponent is negative, move the decimal point |n| places to the left.
    3. Check.

Section Exercises

Practice Makes Perfect

Use the Definition of a Negative Exponent

In the following exercises, simplify.

4−210−3

3−410−2

1811100

5310−5

2−810−2

12561100

1c−513−2

1c−515−2

c5 ⓑ 25

1q−10110−3

1t−9110−4

t9 ⓑ 10000

(58)−2(3mn)−2

(310)−2(2cd)−3

1009c3d38

(49)−3(u22v)−5

(72)−3(3xy2)−3

8343x3y627

(5)25−2(15)−2(15)−2

(−7)−272(17)−2(17)−2

149149 ⓒ 49 ⓓ −49

3−3(13)−3(13)−3(−3)−3

5−3(15)−3(15)−3(−5)−3

1125−125−1251125

3·5−1(3·5)−1

2·5−1(2·5)−1

25110

4·5−2(4·5)−2

3·4−2(3·4)−2

3161144

m−4(x3)−4

b−5(k2)−5

1b51k10

p−10(q6)−8

s−8(a9)−10

1s81a90

7n−1(7n)−1(−7n)−1

6r−1(6r)−1(−6r)−1

6r16r16r

(3p)−23p−2−3p−2

(2q)−42q−4−2q−4

116q42q42q4

Simplify Expressions with Integer Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify.

b4b−8r−2r5x−7x−3

s3·s−7q−8·q3y−2·y−5

1s41q51y7

a3·a−3a·a3a·a−3

y5·y−5y·y5y·y−5

ⓐ 1 ⓑ y61y4

p5·p−2·p−4

x4·x−2·x−3

1x

(w4x−5)(w−2x−4)

(m3n−3)(m−5n−1)

1m2n4

(uv−2)(u−5v−3)

(pq−4)(p−6q−3)

1p5q7

(−6c−3d9)(2c4d−5)

(−2j−5k8)(7j2k−3)

14k5j3

(−4r−2s−8)(9r4s3)

(−5m4n6)(8m−5n−3)

40n3m

(5x2)−2

(4y3)−3

164y9

(3z−3)2

(2p−5)2

4p10

t9t−3

n5n−2

n7

x−7x−3

y−5y−10

y5

Convert from Decimal Notation to Scientific Notation

In the following exercises, write each number in scientific notation.

57,000

340,000

3.4×105

8,750,000

1,290,000

1.29×106

0.026

0.041

4.1×10−2

0.00000871

0.00000103

1.03×10−6

Convert Scientific Notation to Decimal Form

In the following exercises, convert each number to decimal form.

5.2×102

8.3×102

830

7.5×106

1.6×1010

16,000,000,000

2.5×10−2

3.8×10−2

0.038

4.13×10−5

1.93×10−5

0.0000193

Multiply and Divide Using Scientific Notation

In the following exercises, multiply. Write your answer in decimal form.

(3×10−5)(3×109)

(2×102)(1×10−4)

0.02

(7.1×10−2)(2.4×10−4)

(3.5×10−4)(1.6×10−2)

0.0000056

In the following exercises, divide. Write your answer in decimal form.

7×10−31×10−7

5×10−21×10−10

500,000,000

6×1043×10−2

8×1064×10−1

20,000,000

Everyday Math

The population of the United States on July 4, 2010 was almost 310,000,000. Write the number in scientific notation.

The population of the world on July 4, 2010 was more than 6,850,000,000. Write the number in scientific notation

6.85×109.

The average width of a human hair is 0.0018 centimeters. Write the number in scientific notation.

The probability of winning the 2010 Megamillions lottery was about 0.0000000057. Write the number in scientific notation.

5.7×10−9

In 2010, the number of Facebook users each day who changed their status to ‘engaged’ was 2×104. Convert this number to decimal form.

At the start of 2012, the US federal budget had a deficit of more than $1.5×1013. Convert this number to decimal form.

15,000,000,000,000

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is 3.9×10−4. Convert this number to decimal form.

The width of a proton is 1×10−5 of the width of an atom. Convert this number to decimal form.

0.00001

Health care costs The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid projects that consumers will spend more than $4 trillion on health care by 2017.

  1. ⓐ Write 4 trillion in decimal notation.
  2. ⓑ Write 4 trillion in scientific notation.

Coin production In 1942, the U.S. Mint produced 154,500,000 nickels. Write 154,500,000 in scientific notation.

1.545×108

Distance The distance between Earth and one of the brightest stars in the night star is 33.7 light years. One light year is about 6,000,000,000,000 (6 trillion), miles.

  1. ⓐ Write the number of miles in one light year in scientific notation.
  2. ⓑ Use scientific notation to find the distance between Earth and the star in miles. Write the answer in scientific notation.

Debt At the end of fiscal year 2015 the gross United States federal government debt was estimated to be approximately $18,600,000,000,000 ($18.6 trillion), according to the Federal Budget. The population of the United States was approximately 300,000,000 people at the end of fiscal year 2015.

  1. ⓐ Write the debt in scientific notation.
  2. ⓑ Write the population in scientific notation.
  3. ⓒ Find the amount of debt per person by using scientific notation to divide the debt by the population. Write the answer in scientific notation.

1.86×10133×1086.2×104

Writing Exercises

  1. ⓐ Explain the meaning of the exponent in the expression 23.
  2. ⓑ Explain the meaning of the exponent in the expression 2−3.

When you convert a number from decimal notation to scientific notation, how do you know if the exponent will be positive or negative?

answers will vary

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

This is a table that has six rows and four columns. In the first row, which is a header row, the cells read from left to right “I can…,” “Confidently,” “With some help,” and “No-I don’t get it!” The first column below “I can…” reads “use the definition of a negative exponent,” “simplify expressions with integer exponents,” “convert from decimal notation to scientific notation,” “convert scientific notation to decimal form,” and “multiply and divide using scientific notation.” The rest of the cells are blank.

ⓑ Overall, after looking at the checklist, do you think you are well-prepared for the next section? Why or why not?

Chapter 6 Review Exercises

Add and Subtract Polynomials

Identify Polynomials, Monomials, Binomials and Trinomials

In the following exercises, determine if each of the following polynomials is a monomial, binomial, trinomial, or other polynomial.

11c423c2+1
9p3+6p2p5
37x+514
ⓓ 10
2y12

a2b2
24d3
x2+8x10
m2n22mn+6
7y3+y22y4

ⓐ binomial ⓑ monomial ⓒ trinomial ⓓ trinomial ⓔ other polynomial

Determine the Degree of Polynomials

In the following exercises, determine the degree of each polynomial.

  1. 3x2+9x+10
  2. 14a2bc
  3. 6y+1
  4. n34n2+2n8
  5. −19
  1. 5p38p2+10p4
  2. −20q4
  3. x2+6x+12
  4. 23r2s24rs+5
  5. ⓔ 100

ⓐ 3 ⓑ 4 ⓒ 2 ⓓ 4 ⓔ 0

Add and Subtract Monomials

In the following exercises, add or subtract the monomials.

5y3+8y3

−14k+19k

5k

12q(−6q)

−9c18c

−27c

12x4y9x

3m2+7n23m2

7n2

6x2y4x+8xy2

13a+b

13a+b

Add and Subtract Polynomials

In the following exercises, add or subtract the polynomials.

(5x2+12x+1)+(6x28x+3)

(9p25p+3)+(4p24)

13p25p1

(10m28m1)(5m2+m2)

(7y28y)(y4)

7y29y+4

Subtract
(3s2+10)from(15s22s+8)

Find the sum of (a2+6a+9)and(5a37)

5a3+a2+6a+2

Evaluate a Polynomial for a Given Value of the Variable

In the following exercises, evaluate each polynomial for the given value.

Evaluate 3y2y+1 when:

  1. y=5
  2. y=−1
  3. y=0

Evaluate 1012x when:

  1. x=3
  2. x=0
  3. x=−1

−26 ⓑ 10 ⓒ 22

Randee drops a stone off the 200 foot high cliff into the ocean. The polynomial −16t2+200 gives the height of a stone t seconds after it is dropped from the cliff. Find the height after t=3 seconds.

A manufacturer of stereo sound speakers has found that the revenue received from selling the speakers at a cost of p dollars each is given by the polynomial −4p2+460p. Find the revenue received when p=75 dollars.

12,000

Use Multiplication Properties of Exponents

Simplify Expressions with Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify.

104

171

17

(29)2

(0.5)3

0.125

(−2)6

26

−64

Simplify Expressions Using the Product Property for Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify each expression.

x4·x3

p15·p16

p31

410·46

8·85

86

n·n2·n4

yc·y3

yc+3

Simplify Expressions Using the Power Property for Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify each expression.

(m3)5

(53)2

56

(y4)x

(3r)s

3rs

Simplify Expressions Using the Product to a Power Property

In the following exercises, simplify each expression.

(4a)2

(−5y)3

−125y3

(2mn)5

(10xyz)3

1000x3y3z3

Simplify Expressions by Applying Several Properties

In the following exercises, simplify each expression.

(p2)5·(p3)6

(4a3b2)3

64a9b6

(5x)2(7x)

(2q3)4(3q)2

144q14

(13x2)2(12x)3

(25m2n)3

8125m6n3

Multiply Monomials

In the following exercises 8, multiply the monomials.

(−15x2)(6x4)

(−9n7)(−16n)

144n8

(7p5q3)(8pq9)

(59ab2)(27ab3)

15a2b5

Multiply Polynomials

Multiply a Polynomial by a Monomial

In the following exercises, multiply.

7(a+9)

−4(y+13)

−4y52

−5(r2)

p(p+3)

p2+3p

m(m+15)

−6u(2u+7)

−12u242u

9(b2+6b+8)

3q2(q27q+6) 3

9q463q3+54q2

(5z1)z

(b4)·11

11b44

Multiply a Binomial by a Binomial

In the following exercises, multiply the binomials using: ⓐ the Distributive Property, ⓑ the FOIL method, ⓒ the Vertical Method.

(x4)(x+10)

(6y7)(2y5)

12y244y+3512y244y+3512y244y+35

In the following exercises, multiply the binomials. Use any method.

(x+3)(x+9)

(y4)(y8)

y212y+32

(p7)(p+4)

(q+16)(q3)

q2+13q48

(5m8)(12m+1)

(u2+6)(u25)

u4+u230

(9xy)(6x5)

(8mn+3)(2mn1)

16m2n22mn3

Multiply a Trinomial by a Binomial

In the following exercises, multiply using ⓐ the Distributive Property, ⓑ the Vertical Method.

(n+1)(n2+5n2)

(3x4)(6x2+x10)

18x321x234x+4018x321x234x+40

In the following exercises, multiply. Use either method.

(y2)(y28y+9)

(7m+1)(m210m3)

7m369m231m3

Special Products

Square a Binomial Using the Binomial Squares Pattern

In the following exercises, square each binomial using the Binomial Squares Pattern.

(c+11)2

(q15)2

q230q+225

(x+13)2

(8u+1)2

64u2+16u+1

(3n32)2

(4a3b)2

16a224ab+9b2

Multiply Conjugates Using the Product of Conjugates Pattern

In the following exercises, multiply each pair of conjugates using the Product of Conjugates Pattern.

(s7)(s+7)

(y+25)(y25)

y2425

(12c+13)(12c13)

(6r)(6+r)

36r2

(u+34v)(u34v)

(5p44q3)(5p4+4q3)

25p816q6

Recognize and Use the Appropriate Special Product Pattern

In the following exercises, find each product.

(3m+10)2

(6a+11)(6a11)

36a2121

(5x+y)(x5y)

(c4+9d)2

c8+18c4d+81d2

(p5+q5)(p5q5)

(a2+4b)(4ab2)

4a3a2b2+16ab4b3

Divide Monomials

Simplify Expressions Using the Quotient Property for Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify.

u24u6

1025105

1020

3436

v12v48

1v36

xx5

558

157

Simplify Expressions with Zero Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify.

750

x0

1

120

(120)(−12)0

−1

25x0

(25x)0

1

19n025m0

(19n)0(25m)0

0

Simplify Expressions Using the Quotient to a Power Property

In the following exercises, simplify.

(25)3

(m3)4

m481

(rs)8

(x2y)6

x664y6

Simplify Expressions by Applying Several Properties

In the following exercises, simplify.

(x3)5x9

n10(n5)2

1

(q6q8)3

(r8r3)4

r20

(c2d5)9

(3x42y2)5

243x2032y10

(v3v9v6)4

(3n2)4(−5n4)3(−2n5)2

10,125n104

Divide Monomials

In the following exercises, divide the monomials.

−65y14÷ 5y2

64a5b9−16a10b3

4b6a5

144x15y8z318x10y2z12

(8p6q2)(9p3q5)16p8q7

9p2

Divide Polynomials

Divide a Polynomial by a Monomial

In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the monomial.

42z218z6

(35x275x)÷5x

7x15

81n4+105n2−3

550p6300p410p3

55p330p

(63xy3+56x2y4)÷(7xy)

96a5b248a4b356a2b48ab2

12a46a3b7ab2

57m212m+1−3m

105y5+50y35y5y3

21y2+101y2

Divide a Polynomial by a Binomial

In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the binomial.

(k22k99)÷(k+9)

(v216v+64)÷(v8)

v8

(3x28x35)÷(x5)

(n23n14)÷(n+3)

n6+4n+3

(4m3+m5)÷(m1)

(u38)÷(u2)

u2+2u+4

Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation

Use the Definition of a Negative Exponent

In the following exercises, simplify.

9−2

(−5)−3

1125

3·4−3

(6u)−3

1216u3

(25)−1

(34)−2

169

Simplify Expressions with Integer Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify.

p−2·p8

q−6·q−5

1q11

(c−2d)(c−3d−2)

(y8)−1

1y8

(q−4)−3

a8a12

1a4

n5n−4

r−2r−3

r

Convert from Decimal Notation to Scientific Notation

In the following exercises, write each number in scientific notation.

8,500,000

0.00429

4.29×10−3

The thickness of a dime is about 0.053 inches.

In 2015, the population of the world was about 7,200,000,000 people.

7.2×109

Convert Scientific Notation to Decimal Form

In the following exercises, convert each number to decimal form.

3.8×105

1.5×1010

15,000,000,000

9.1×10−7

5.5×10−1

0.55

Multiply and Divide Using Scientific Notation

In the following exercises, multiply and write your answer in decimal form.

(2×105)(4×10−3)

(3.5×10−2)(6.2×10−1)

0.0217

In the following exercises, divide and write your answer in decimal form.

8×1054×10−1

9×10−53×102

0.0000003

Chapter Practice Test

For the polynomial 10x4+9y21
ⓐ Is it a monomial, binomial, or trinomial?
ⓑ What is its degree?

In the following exercises, simplify each expression.

(12a27a+4)+(3a2+8a10)

15a2+a6

(9p25p+1)(2p26)

(25)3

8125

u·u4

(4a3b5)2

16a6b10

(−9r4s5)(4rs7)

3k(k27k+13)

3k321k2+39k

(m+6)(m+12)

(v9)(9v5)

9v286v+45

(4c11)(3c8)

(n6)(n25n+4)

n311n2+34n24

(2x15y)(5x+7y)

(7p5)(7p+5)

49p225

(9v2)2

38310

19

(m4·mm3)6

(87x15y3z22)0

1

80c8d216cd10

12x2+42x62x

6x+213x

(70xy4+95x3y)÷5xy

64x314x1

16x2+4x+1

(y25y18)÷(y+3)

5−2

125

(4m)−3

q−4·q−5

1q9

n−2n−10

Convert 83,000,000 to scientific notation.

8.3×107

Convert 6.91×10−5 to decimal form.

In the following exercises, simplify, and write your answer in decimal form.

(3.4×109)(2.2×10−5)

74,800

8.4×10−34×103

A helicopter flying at an altitude of 1000 feet drops a rescue package. The polynomial −16t2+1000 gives the height of the package t seconds a after it was dropped. Find the height when t=6 seconds.

424 feet