Power Rules for Exponents

Power Rules for Exponents

If a and b are real numbers and m and n are integers, then

(a)  (a^m)ⁿ = a^mn .

(b)  (ab)^m = a^mb^m

(c)  (a/b)^m = a^m/b^m (b ≠0).

 

In words,

(a) to raise a power to a power, multiply exponents;

(b) to raise a product to a power, raise each factor to that power; and

(c) to raise a quotient to a power, raise the numerator and the denominator

to that power.