Exponent Rules for Kids: Product, Quotient, Power, Zero and Negative (Grade 8 Math)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are learning the exponent rules. An exponent tells us how many times to multiply the base by itself. Two cubed means two times two times two.

When we multiply powers with the same base, we add the exponents. Two cubed times two squared is three twos times two more twos. That is five twos, so the answer is two to the fifth, which is thirty two.

When we divide powers with the same base, we subtract the exponents. Five to the sixth divided by five to the fourth: six minus four is two. The answer is five squared, which is twenty five.

For a power raised to another power, multiply the exponents. Three squared, all to the power of three, means three squared three times. Two times three is six, so it is three to the sixth, which is seven hundred twenty nine.

Any number, except zero, to the power of zero is one. Look at the pattern. Seven squared is forty nine. Divide by seven to get seven to the first, which is seven. Divide by seven again to get one.

Keep the pattern going and we get negative exponents. A negative exponent means one over the positive power. Two to the negative three is one over two cubed, which is one eighth.

Now it's your turn. Simplify ten to the fourth divided by ten squared, and two cubed, all squared. Pause and try. The first is ten squared, which is one hundred. The second is two to the sixth, which is sixty four.

Great job! Remember, multiply means add exponents, divide means subtract them, and a power of a power means multiply them. Anything to the zero is one. Practice exponent rules in Middle School Math at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!