Positive and zero exponents

Positive and zero exponents The exponent is the number or value to which a variable or number is raised. The exponent usually written as am. Here a is the base value and m is the exponent. The exponent can be a positive, negative or equal to zero. The exponent tell the number or times the base number needs to be multiplied. If m is a positive number: am = a x a x a x a..a (m times). If m is equal to zero: a0 = 1. (Any value to the power zero is equal to 1.) Example 1: Evaluate the value of the expression: (0.3)4? Solution: Here the exponent expression given is (0.3)4. The base number is 0.3 and the power to which the number is raised is 4. The base number needs to ne multiplied 4 times. This gives (0.3)4 = 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 Here there is a decimal number in 0.3 so multiplying four times has the final answer will consist of four decimal number. Therefore, 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.3 = 0.0027 Hence the answer is 0.0027. Question: Multiple choice question (Pick the correct option.) Evaluate the exponent expression 60? a) 1/6 b) 1 c) 6 d) None of these. Correct answer: option b. Here the base number is 6 and the power to which the number is raised is 0. The rule for any number with the power zero is: a0 = 1. This further simplifies the exponent expression 60 = 1.