An exponential expression is in simplest form if……:
1. There are no negative exponents.
2. The same base does not appear more than once in a product or quotient.
3. No powers are raised to powers.
4. No products are raised to powers.
5. No quotients are raised to powers.
6. All fractions are reduced.
Product of Powers Property: keep base the same and add the exponents
Power of a Power Property: multiply the exponents
Power of a Product Property: distribute the exponent
Any number or variable raised to 0 equals one.
Ex. 2° = 1
Distribute an exponent outside a set of parenthesis to each factor inside
*Hint: think of numbers and variables as separate factors.