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Exp., Sc. Not., Order of Op's
Basic Concepts of Algebra-R2
13
Mathematics
Undergraduate 1
03/19/2008

Additional Mathematics Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
 
 
 
Exponential Notation 
Definition

For any positive integer n,

 

     an = a · a · a · · · a,

 

   (number of a's = n factors)

 

where a is the base and n is the exponent.

Term

 

 

 

Zero Exponents

Definition
 
 
For any nonzero real number a,
 
a0 = 1
Term

 

 

 

Negative Exponents in Fractions

Definition

For any nonzero numbers a and b, and any integers m and n,

 

a-m/b-n = bn/am.

 

(A factor can be moved to the other side of the fraction bar if the sign of the exponent is changed.)

 

 

Term

 

 

 

Product Rule

Definition
For any real numbers a and b and any integers m and n, assuming 0 is not raised to a nonpositive power:
 
am · an = am + n.
Term

 

 

 

Quotient Rule

Definition
For any real numbers a and b and any integers m and n, assuming 0 is not raised to a nonpositive power:
 
am/an = am - n (a ≠ 0).
Term

 

 

 

Power Rule

 

Definition
For any real numbers a and b and any integers m and n, assuming 0 is not raised to a nonpositive power:
 
(am)n = amn.
Term

 

 

 

Raising a Product to a Power

Definition
For any real numbers a and b and any integers m and n, assuming 0 is not raised to a nonpositive power:
 
(ab)m = ambm.
Term

 

 

 

Raising a Quotient to a Power

Definition
For any real numbers a and b and any integers m and n, assuming 0 is not raised to a nonpositive power:
 
(a/b)m = am/bm, (b ≠ 0).
Term

 

 

 

Scientific Notation

Definition
Scientific notation for a number is an expression of the type
 
N X 10m,
 
where 1 ≤ N ≤ 10, N is in decimal notation, and m is an integer.
Term

 

 

 

Use of Scientific Notation

Definition
 
 
In scientific notation, positive exponents are used for numbers greater or equal to 10 and negative exponents for numbers between 0 and 1.
Term

 

 

 

Rules for Order of Operations

Definition
  1. Do all calculations within grouping symbols before operations outside.  When nested grouping symboles are present, work from the inside out.
  2. Evaluate all exponential expressions.
  3. Do all multiplications and divisions in order from left to right.
  4. Do all additions and subtractions in order from left to right.
Term

 

 

 

Negative-Integer Exponents

Definition
For any nonzero real number a and any integer m,
 
a-m = 1/am.
Term

 

 

 

Exponents of 1

Definition
 
 
For any real number a,
 
a1 = a.
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