Evaluating expressions with powers. Formulas of powers and roots

Degree and its properties. Comprehensive guide (2019)

Why are degrees needed? Where will you need them? Why should you take the time to study them?

To learn everything about degrees, what they are for, how to use your knowledge in Everyday life read this article.

And, of course, knowledge of degrees will bring you closer to successful completion OGE or Unified State Exam and admission to the university of your dreams.

Let's go... (Let's go!)

Important note! If you see gobbledygook instead of formulas, clear your cache. To do this, press CTRL+F5 (on Windows) or Cmd+R (on Mac).

FIRST LEVEL

Raising to a power is the same mathematical operation like addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.

Now I'll explain everything human language very simple examples. Be careful. The examples are elementary, but explain important things.

Let's start with addition.

There is nothing to explain here. You already know everything: there are eight of us. Everyone has two bottles of cola. How much cola is there? That's right - 16 bottles.

Now multiplication.

The same example with cola can be written differently: . Mathematicians are cunning and lazy people. They first notice some patterns, and then figure out a way to “count” them faster. In our case, they noticed that each of the eight people had the same number of cola bottles and came up with a technique called multiplication. Agree, it is considered easier and faster than.

So, to count faster, easier and without errors, you just need to remember multiplication table. Of course, you can do everything slower, more difficult and with mistakes! But…

Here is the multiplication table. Repeat.

And another, more beautiful one:

What other clever counting tricks have lazy mathematicians come up with? Right - raising a number to a power.

Raising a number to a power

If you need to multiply a number by itself five times, then mathematicians say that you need to raise that number to the fifth power. For example, . Mathematicians remember that two to the fifth power is... And they solve such problems in their heads - faster, easier and without mistakes.

All you need to do is remember what is highlighted in color in the table of powers of numbers. Believe me, this will make your life a lot easier.

By the way, why is it called the second degree? square numbers, and the third - cube? What does it mean? Very good question. Now you will have both squares and cubes.

Real life example #1

Let's start with the square or the second power of the number.

Imagine a square pool measuring one meter by one meter. The pool is at your dacha. It's hot and I really want to swim. But... the pool has no bottom! You need to cover the bottom of the pool with tiles. How many tiles do you need? In order to determine this, you need to know the bottom area of the pool.

You can simply calculate by pointing your finger that the bottom of the pool consists of meter by meter cubes. If you have tiles one meter by one meter, you will need pieces. It's easy... But where have you seen such tiles? The tile will most likely be cm by cm. And then you will be tortured by “counting with your finger.” Then you have to multiply. So, on one side of the bottom of the pool we will fit tiles (pieces) and on the other, too, tiles. Multiply by and you get tiles ().

Did you notice that to determine the area of the pool bottom we multiplied the same number by itself? What does it mean? Since we are multiplying the same number, we can use the “exponentiation” technique. (Of course, when you have only two numbers, you still need to multiply them or raise them to a power. But if you have a lot of them, then raising them to a power is much easier and there are also fewer errors in calculations. For the Unified State Exam, this is very important).
So, thirty to the second power will be (). Or we can say that thirty squared will be. In other words, the second power of a number can always be represented as a square. And vice versa, if you see a square, it is ALWAYS the second power of some number. A square is an image of the second power of a number.

Real life example #2

Here's a task for you: count how many squares there are on the chessboard using the square of the number... On one side of the cells and on the other too. To calculate their number, you need to multiply eight by eight or... if you notice that a chessboard is a square with a side, then you can square eight. You will get cells. () So?

Real life example #3

Now the cube or the third power of a number. The same pool. But now you need to find out how much water will have to be poured into this pool. You need to calculate the volume. (Volumes and liquids, by the way, are measured in cubic meters. Unexpected, right?) Draw a pool: a bottom measuring a meter and a depth of a meter and try to count how many cubes measuring a meter by a meter will fit into your pool.

Just point your finger and count! One, two, three, four...twenty-two, twenty-three...How many did you get? Not lost? Is it difficult to count with your finger? So that! Take an example from mathematicians. They are lazy, so they noticed that in order to calculate the volume of the pool, you need to multiply its length, width and height by each other. In our case, the volume of the pool will be equal to cubes... Easier, right?

Now imagine how lazy and cunning mathematicians are if they simplified this too. We reduced everything to one action. They noticed that the length, width and height are equal and that the same number is multiplied by itself... What does this mean? This means you can take advantage of the degree. So, what you once counted with your finger, they do in one action: three cubed is equal. It is written like this: .

All that remains is remember the table of degrees. Unless, of course, you are as lazy and cunning as mathematicians. If you like to work hard and make mistakes, you can continue to count with your finger.

Well, to finally convince you that degrees were invented by quitters and cunning people to solve their own life problems, and not to create problems for you, here are a couple more examples from life.

Real life example #4

You have a million rubles. At the beginning of each year, for every million you make, you make another million. That is, every million you have doubles at the beginning of each year. How much money will you have in years? If you are sitting now and “counting with your finger,” it means you are very hardworking man and.. stupid. But most likely you will give an answer in a couple of seconds, because you are smart! So, in the first year - two multiplied by two... in the second year - what happened, by two more, in the third year... Stop! You noticed that the number is multiplied by itself times. So two to the fifth power is a million! Now imagine that you have a competition and the one who can count the fastest will get these millions... It’s worth remembering the powers of numbers, don’t you think?

Real life example #5

You have a million. At the beginning of each year, for every million you make, you earn two more. Great isn't it? Every million is tripled. How much money will you have in a year? Let's count. The first year - multiply by, then the result by another... It’s already boring, because you already understood everything: three is multiplied by itself times. So to the fourth power it is equal to a million. You just have to remember that three to the fourth power is or.

Now you know that by raising a number to a power you will make your life a lot easier. Let's take a further look at what you can do with degrees and what you need to know about them.

Terms and concepts... so as not to get confused

So, first, let's define the concepts. What do you think, what is an exponent? It's very simple - it's the number that is "at the top" of the power of the number. Not scientific, but clear and easy to remember...

Well, at the same time, what such a degree basis? Even simpler - this is the number that is located below, at the base.

Here's a drawing for good measure.

Well in general view, to generalize and remember better... A degree with a base “ ” and an exponent “ ” is read as “to the degree” and written in the following way:

Power of number c natural indicator

You probably already guessed: because the exponent is a natural number. Yes, but what is it natural number? Elementary! Natural numbers are those numbers that are used in counting when listing objects: one, two, three... When we count objects, we do not say: “minus five,” “minus six,” “minus seven.” We also do not say: “one third”, or “zero point five”. These are not natural numbers. What numbers do you think these are?

Numbers like “minus five”, “minus six”, “minus seven” refer to whole numbers. In general, integers include all natural numbers, numbers opposite to natural numbers (that is, taken with a minus sign), and number. Zero is easy to understand - it is when there is nothing. What do negative (“minus”) numbers mean? But they were invented primarily to indicate debts: if you have a balance on your phone in rubles, this means that you owe the operator rubles.

All fractions are rational numbers. How did they arise, do you think? Very simple. Several thousand years ago, our ancestors discovered that they lacked natural numbers for measuring length, weight, area, etc. And they came up with rational numbers... Interesting, isn't it?

Is there some more irrational numbers. What are these numbers? In short, endless decimal. For example, if you divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter, you get an irrational number.

Summary:

Let us define the concept of a degree whose exponent is a natural number (i.e., integer and positive).

Any number to the first power is equal to itself:
To square a number means to multiply it by itself:
To cube a number means to multiply it by itself three times:

Definition. Raise the number to natural degree- means multiplying a number by itself times:
.

Properties of degrees

Where did these properties come from? I will show you now.

Let's see: what is it And ?

A-priory:

How many multipliers are there in total?

It’s very simple: we added multipliers to the factors, and the result is multipliers.

But by definition, this is a power of a number with an exponent, that is: , which is what needed to be proven.

Example: Simplify the expression.

Solution:

Example: Simplify the expression.

Solution: It is important to note that in our rule Necessarily there must be the same reasons!
Therefore, we combine the powers with the base, but it remains a separate factor:

only for the product of powers!

Under no circumstances can you write that.

2. that's it th power of a number

Just as with the previous property, let us turn to the definition of degree:

It turns out that the expression is multiplied by itself times, that is, according to the definition, this is the th power of the number:

In essence, this can be called “taking the indicator out of brackets.” But you can never do this in total:

Let's remember the abbreviated multiplication formulas: how many times did we want to write?

But this is not true, after all.

Power with negative base

Up to this point, we have only discussed what the exponent should be.

But what should be the basis?

In powers of natural indicator the basis may be any number. Indeed, we can multiply any numbers by each other, be they positive, negative, or even.

Let's think about which signs ("" or "") will have degrees of positive and negative numbers?

For example, is the number positive or negative? A? ? The first one is clear: no matter how much positive numbers We didn’t multiply by each other, the result will be positive.

But the negative ones are a little more interesting. We remember the simple rule from 6th grade: “minus for minus gives a plus.” That is, or. But if we multiply by, it works.

Determine for yourself what sign the following expressions will have:

1)	2)	3)
4)	5)	6)

Did you manage?

Here are the answers: In the first four examples, I hope everything is clear? We simply look at the base and exponent and apply the appropriate rule.

1) ; 2) ; 3) ; 4) ; 5) ; 6) .

In example 5) everything is also not as scary as it seems: after all, it doesn’t matter what the base is equal to - the degree is even, which means the result will always be positive.

Well, except when the base is zero. The base is not equal, is it? Obviously not, since (because).

Example 6) is no longer so simple!

6 examples to practice

Analysis of the solution 6 examples

If we ignore the eighth power, what do we see here? Let's remember the 7th grade program. So, do you remember? This is the formula for abbreviated multiplication, namely the difference of squares! We get:

Let's look carefully at the denominator. It looks a lot like one of the numerator factors, but what's wrong? The order of the terms is wrong. If they were reversed, the rule could apply.

But how to do that? It turns out that it’s very easy: the even degree of the denominator helps us here.

Magically the terms changed places. This “phenomenon” applies to any expression to an even degree: we can easily change the signs in parentheses.

But it's important to remember: all signs change at the same time!

Let's go back to the example:

And again the formula:

Whole we call the natural numbers, their opposites (that is, taken with the " " sign) and the number.

positive integer, and it is no different from natural, then everything looks exactly like in the previous section.

Now let's look at new cases. Let's start with an indicator equal to.

Any number in zero degree equal to one:

As always, let us ask ourselves: why is this so?

Let's consider some degree with a base. Take, for example, and multiply by:

So, we multiplied the number by, and we got the same thing as it was - . What number should you multiply by so that nothing changes? That's right, on. Means.

We can do the same with an arbitrary number:

Let's repeat the rule:

Any number to the zero power is equal to one.

But there are exceptions to many rules. And here it is also there - this is a number (as a base).

On the one hand, it must be equal to any degree - no matter how much you multiply zero by itself, you will still get zero, this is clear. But on the other hand, like any number to the zero power, it must be equal. So how much of this is true? The mathematicians decided not to get involved and refused to raise zero to the zero power. That is, now we cannot not only divide by zero, but also raise it to the zero power.

Let's move on. In addition to natural numbers and numbers, integers also include negative numbers. To understand what a negative degree is, let's do as in last time: multiply some normal number to the same to a negative degree:

From here it’s easy to express what you’re looking for:

Now let’s extend the resulting rule to an arbitrary degree:

So, let's formulate a rule:

A number to a negative power is the reciprocal of the same number to positive degree. But at the same time The base cannot be null:(because you can’t divide by).

Let's summarize:

I. The expression is not defined in the case. If, then.

II. Any number to the zero power is equal to one: .

III. Number, not equal to zero, to a negative degree is the inverse of the same number to a positive degree: .

Tasks for independent solution:

Well, as usual, examples for independent solutions:

Analysis of problems for independent solution:

I know, I know, the numbers are scary, but on the Unified State Exam you have to be prepared for anything! Solve these examples or analyze their solutions if you couldn’t solve them and you will learn to cope with them easily in the exam!

Let's continue to expand the range of numbers “suitable” as an exponent.

Now let's consider rational numbers. What numbers are called rational?

Answer: everything that can be represented as a fraction, where and are integers, and.

To understand what it is "fractional degree", consider the fraction:

Let's raise both sides of the equation to a power:

Now let's remember the rule about "degree to degree":

What number must be raised to a power to get?

This formulation is the definition of the root of the th degree.

Let me remind you: the root of the th power of a number () is a number that, when raised to a power, is equal to.

That is, the root of the th power is the inverse operation of raising to a power: .

It turns out that. Obviously this special case can be expanded: .

Now we add the numerator: what is it? The answer is easy to obtain using the power-to-power rule:

But can the base be any number? After all, the root cannot be extracted from all numbers.

None!

Let us remember the rule: any number raised to an even power is a positive number. That is, it is impossible to extract even roots from negative numbers!

This means that such numbers cannot be raised to a fractional power with an even denominator, that is, the expression does not make sense.

What about the expression?

But here a problem arises.

The number can be represented in the form of other, reducible fractions, for example, or.

And it turns out that it exists, but does not exist, but these are just two different entries the same number.

Or another example: once, then you can write it down. But if we write down the indicator differently, we will again get into trouble: (that is, we got a completely different result!).

To avoid such paradoxes, we consider only positive base exponent with fractional exponent.

So if:

- natural number;
- integer;

Examples:

Degrees with rational indicator very useful for converting expressions with roots, for example:

5 examples to practice

Analysis of 5 examples for training

Well, now comes the hardest part. Now we'll figure it out degree c irrational indicator .

All the rules and properties of degrees here are exactly the same as for a degree with a rational exponent, with the exception

After all, by definition, irrational numbers are numbers that cannot be represented as a fraction, where and are integers (that is, irrational numbers are all real numbers except rational ones).

When studying degrees with natural, integer and rational exponents, each time we created a certain “image”, “analogy”, or description in more familiar terms.

For example, a degree with a natural exponent is a number multiplied by itself several times;

...number to the zeroth power- this is, as it were, a number multiplied by itself once, that is, they have not yet begun to multiply it, which means that the number itself has not even appeared yet - therefore the result is only a certain “blank number”, namely a number;

...negative integer degree- it’s as if something happened “ reverse process", that is, the number was not multiplied by itself, but divided.

By the way, in science a degree with complex indicator, that is, the indicator is not even a real number.

But at school we don’t think about such difficulties; you will have the opportunity to comprehend these new concepts at the institute.

WHERE WE ARE SURE YOU WILL GO! (if you learn to solve such examples :))

For example:

Decide for yourself:

Analysis of solutions:

1. Let's start with the usual rule for raising a power to a power:

Now look at the indicator. Doesn't he remind you of anything? Let us recall the formula for abbreviated multiplication of difference of squares:

IN in this case,

It turns out that:

Answer: .

2. We reduce fractions in exponents to the same form: either both decimals or both ordinary ones. We get, for example:

Answer: 16

3. Nothing special, we use the usual properties of degrees:

ADVANCED LEVEL

Determination of degree

A degree is an expression of the form: , where:

— degree base;
- exponent.

Degree with natural indicator (n = 1, 2, 3,...)

Raising a number to the natural power n means multiplying the number by itself times:

Degree with an integer exponent (0, ±1, ±2,...)

If the exponent is positive integer number:

Construction to the zero degree:

The expression is indefinite, because, on the one hand, to any degree is this, and on the other hand, any number to the th degree is this.

If the exponent is negative integer number:

(because you can’t divide by).

Once again about zeros: the expression is not defined in the case. If, then.

Examples:

Power with rational exponent

- natural number;
- integer;

Examples:

Properties of degrees

To make it easier to solve problems, let’s try to understand: where did these properties come from? Let's prove them.

Let's see: what is and?

A-priory:

So, on the right side of this expression we get the following product:

But by definition it is a power of a number with an exponent, that is:

Q.E.D.

Example : Simplify the expression.

Solution : .

Example : Simplify the expression.

Solution : It is important to note that in our rule Necessarily there must be the same reasons. Therefore, we combine the powers with the base, but it remains a separate factor:

Another important note: this rule - only for product of powers!

Under no circumstances can you write that.

Just as with the previous property, let us turn to the definition of degree:

Let's regroup this work like this:

It turns out that the expression is multiplied by itself times, that is, according to the definition, this is the th power of the number:

In essence, this can be called “taking the indicator out of brackets.” But you can never do this in total: !

Let's remember the abbreviated multiplication formulas: how many times did we want to write? But this is not true, after all.

Power with a negative base.

Up to this point we have only discussed what it should be like index degrees. But what should be the basis? In powers of natural indicator the basis may be any number .

Indeed, we can multiply any numbers by each other, be they positive, negative, or even. Let's think about which signs ("" or "") will have degrees of positive and negative numbers?

For example, is the number positive or negative? A? ?

With the first one, everything is clear: no matter how many positive numbers we multiply by each other, the result will be positive.

But the negative ones are a little more interesting. We remember the simple rule from 6th grade: “minus for minus gives a plus.” That is, or. But if we multiply by (), we get - .

And so on ad infinitum: with each subsequent multiplication the sign will change. We can formulate the following simple rules:

even degree, - number positive.
A negative number, built in odd degree, - number negative.
A positive number to any degree is a positive number.
Zero to any power is equal to zero.

Determine for yourself what sign the following expressions will have:

1.	2.	3.
4.	5.	6.

Did you manage? Here are the answers:

1) ; 2) ; 3) ; 4) ; 5) ; 6) .

In the first four examples, I hope everything is clear? We simply look at the base and exponent and apply the appropriate rule.

In example 5) everything is also not as scary as it seems: after all, it doesn’t matter what the base is equal to - the degree is even, which means the result will always be positive. Well, except when the base is zero. The base is not equal, is it? Obviously not, since (because).

Example 6) is no longer so simple. Here you need to find out which is less: or? If we remember that, it becomes clear that, which means the base is less than zero. That is, we apply rule 2: the result will be negative.

And again we use the definition of degree:

Everything is as usual - we write down the definition of degrees and divide them by each other, divide them into pairs and get:

Before you take it apart last rule, let's solve a few examples.

Calculate the expressions:

Solutions :

If we ignore the eighth power, what do we see here? Let's remember the 7th grade program. So, do you remember? This is the formula for abbreviated multiplication, namely the difference of squares!

We get:

Let's look carefully at the denominator. It looks a lot like one of the numerator factors, but what's wrong? The order of the terms is wrong. If they were reversed, rule 3 could apply. But how? It turns out that it’s very easy: the even degree of the denominator helps us here.

If you multiply it by, nothing changes, right? But now it turns out like this:

Magically the terms changed places. This “phenomenon” applies to any expression to an even degree: we can easily change the signs in parentheses. But it's important to remember: All signs change at the same time! You can’t replace it with by changing only one disadvantage we don’t like!

Let's go back to the example:

And again the formula:

So now the last rule:

How will we prove it? Of course, as usual: let’s expand on the concept of degree and simplify it:

Well, now let's open the brackets. How many letters are there in total? times by multipliers - what does this remind you of? This is nothing more than a definition of an operation multiplication: There were only multipliers there. That is, this, by definition, is a power of a number with an exponent:

Example:

Degree with irrational exponent

In addition to information about degrees for the average level, we will analyze the degree with an irrational exponent. All the rules and properties of degrees here are exactly the same as for a degree with a rational exponent, with the exception - after all, by definition, irrational numbers are numbers that cannot be represented as a fraction, where and are integers (that is, irrational numbers are all real numbers except rational numbers).

When studying degrees with natural, integer and rational exponents, each time we created a certain “image”, “analogy”, or description in more familiar terms. For example, a degree with a natural exponent is a number multiplied by itself several times; a number to the zero power is, as it were, a number multiplied by itself once, that is, they have not yet begun to multiply it, which means that the number itself has not even appeared yet - therefore the result is only a certain “blank number”, namely a number; a degree with an integer negative exponent - it’s as if some “reverse process” had occurred, that is, the number was not multiplied by itself, but divided.

It is extremely difficult to imagine a degree with an irrational exponent (just as it is difficult to imagine a 4-dimensional space). It's rather clean mathematical object, which mathematicians created to extend the concept of degree to the entire space of numbers.

By the way, in science a degree with a complex exponent is often used, that is, the exponent is not even a real number. But at school we don’t think about such difficulties; you will have the opportunity to comprehend these new concepts at the institute.

So what do we do if we see an irrational exponent? We are trying our best to get rid of it! :)

For example:

Decide for yourself:

Answers:

Let's remember the difference of squares formula. Answer: .
We reduce the fractions to the same form: either both decimals or both ordinary ones. We get, for example: .
Nothing special, we use the usual properties of degrees:

SUMMARY OF THE SECTION AND BASIC FORMULAS

Degree called an expression of the form: , where:

Degree with an integer exponent

a degree whose exponent is a natural number (i.e., integer and positive).

Power with rational exponent

degree, the exponent of which is negative and fractional numbers.

Degree with irrational exponent

a degree whose exponent is an infinite decimal fraction or root.

Properties of degrees

Features of degrees.

Negative number raised to even degree, - number positive.
Negative number raised to odd degree, - number negative.
A positive number to any degree is a positive number.
Zero is equal to any power.
Any number to the zero power is equal.

NOW YOU HAVE THE WORD...

How do you like the article? Write below in the comments whether you liked it or not.

Tell us about your experience using degree properties.

Perhaps you have questions. Or suggestions.

Write in the comments.

And good luck on your exams!

It is obvious that numbers with powers can be added like other quantities , by adding them one after another with their signs.

So, the sum of a 3 and b 2 is a 3 + b 2.
The sum of a 3 - b n and h 5 -d 4 is a 3 - b n + h 5 - d 4.

Odds equal degrees identical variables can be added or subtracted.

So, the sum of 2a 2 and 3a 2 is equal to 5a 2.

It is also obvious that if you take two squares a, or three squares a, or five squares a.

But degrees various variables And various degrees identical variables, must be composed by adding them with their signs.

So, the sum of a 2 and a 3 is the sum of a 2 + a 3.

It is obvious that the square of a, and the cube of a, is not equal to twice the square of a, but to twice the cube of a.

The sum of a 3 b n and 3a 5 b 6 is a 3 b n + 3a 5 b 6.

Subtraction powers are carried out in the same way as addition, except that the signs of the subtrahends must be changed accordingly.

Or:
2a 4 - (-6a 4) = 8a 4
3h 2 b 6 - 4h 2 b 6 = -h 2 b 6
5(a - h) 6 - 2(a - h) 6 = 3(a - h) 6

Multiplying powers

Numbers with powers can be multiplied, like other quantities, by writing them one after the other, with or without a multiplication sign between them.

Thus, the result of multiplying a 3 by b 2 is a 3 b 2 or aaabb.

Or:
x -3 ⋅ a m = a m x -3
3a 6 y 2 ⋅ (-2x) = -6a 6 xy 2
a 2 b 3 y 2 ⋅ a 3 b 2 y = a 2 b 3 y 2 a 3 b 2 y

Result in last example can be ordered by adding identical variables.
The expression will take the form: a 5 b 5 y 3.

By comparing several numbers (variables) with powers, we can see that if any two of them are multiplied, then the result is a number (variable) with a power equal to amount degrees of terms.

So, a 2 .a 3 = aa.aaa = aaaaa = a 5 .

Here 5 is the power of the result of the multiplication, equal to 2 + 3, the sum of the powers of the terms.

So, a n .a m = a m+n .

For a n , a is taken as a factor as many times as the power of n;

And a m is taken as a factor as many times as the degree m is equal to;

That's why, powers with the same bases can be multiplied by adding the exponents of the powers.

So, a 2 .a 6 = a 2+6 = a 8 . And x 3 .x 2 .x = x 3+2+1 = x 6 .

Or:
4a n ⋅ 2a n = 8a 2n
b 2 y 3 ⋅ b 4 y = b 6 y 4
(b + h - y) n ⋅ (b + h - y) = (b + h - y) n+1

Multiply (x 3 + x 2 y + xy 2 + y 3) ⋅ (x - y).
Answer: x 4 - y 4.
Multiply (x 3 + x - 5) ⋅ (2x 3 + x + 1).

This rule is also true for numbers whose exponents are negative.

1. So, a -2 .a -3 = a -5 . This can be written as (1/aa).(1/aaa) = 1/aaaaa.

2. y -n .y -m = y -n-m .

3. a -n .a m = a m-n .

If a + b are multiplied by a - b, the result will be a 2 - b 2: that is

The result of multiplying the sum or difference of two numbers equal to the sum or the difference of their squares.

If you multiply the sum and difference of two numbers raised to square, the result will be equal to the sum or difference of these numbers in fourth degrees.

So, (a - y).(a + y) = a 2 - y 2.
(a 2 - y 2)⋅(a 2 + y 2) = a 4 - y 4.
(a 4 - y 4)⋅(a 4 + y 4) = a 8 - y 8.

Division of degrees

Numbers with powers can be divided like other numbers, by subtracting from the dividend, or by placing them in fraction form.

Thus, a 3 b 2 divided by b 2 is equal to a 3.

Or:
$\frac(9a^3y^4)(-3a^3) = -3y^4$
$\frac(a^2b + 3a^2)(a^2) = \frac(a^2(b+3))(a^2) = b + 3$
$\frac(d\cdot (a - h + y)^3)((a - h + y)^3) = d$

Writing a 5 divided by a 3 looks like $\frac(a^5)(a^3)$. But this is equal to a 2 . In a series of numbers
a +4 , a +3 , a +2 , a +1 , a 0 , a -1 , a -2 , a -3 , a -4 .
any number can be divided by another, and the exponent will be equal to difference indicators of divisible numbers.

When dividing degrees with the same base, their exponents are subtracted..

So, y 3:y 2 = y 3-2 = y 1. That is, $\frac(yyy)(yy) = y$.

And a n+1:a = a n+1-1 = a n . That is, $\frac(aa^n)(a) = a^n$.

Or:
y 2m: y m = y m
8a n+m: 4a m = 2a n
12(b + y) n: 3(b + y) 3 = 4(b +y) n-3

The rule is also true for numbers with negative values of degrees.
The result of dividing a -5 by a -3 is a -2.
Also, $\frac(1)(aaaaa) : \frac(1)(aaa) = \frac(1)(aaaaa).\frac(aaa)(1) = \frac(aaa)(aaaaa) = \frac (1)(aa)$.

h 2:h -1 = h 2+1 = h 3 or $h^2:\frac(1)(h) = h^2.\frac(h)(1) = h^3$

It is necessary to master multiplication and division of powers very well, since such operations are very widely used in algebra.

Examples of solving examples with fractions containing numbers with powers

1. Reduce the exponents by $\frac(5a^4)(3a^2)$ Answer: $\frac(5a^2)(3)$.

2. Decrease the exponents by $\frac(6x^6)(3x^5)$. Answer: $\frac(2x)(1)$ or 2x.

3. Reduce the exponents a 2 /a 3 and a -3 /a -4 and lead to common denominator.
a 2 .a -4 is a -2 the first numerator.
a 3 .a -3 is a 0 = 1, the second numerator.
a 3 .a -4 is a -1 , the common numerator.
After simplification: a -2 /a -1 and 1/a -1 .

4. Reduce the exponents 2a 4 /5a 3 and 2 /a 4 and bring to a common denominator.
Answer: 2a 3 /5a 7 and 5a 5 /5a 7 or 2a 3 /5a 2 and 5/5a 2.

5. Multiply (a 3 + b)/b 4 by (a - b)/3.

6. Multiply (a 5 + 1)/x 2 by (b 2 - 1)/(x + a).

7. Multiply b 4 /a -2 by h -3 /x and a n /y -3 .

8. Divide a 4 /y 3 by a 3 /y 2 . Answer: a/y.

9. Divide (h 3 - 1)/d 4 by (d n + 1)/h.

First level

Degree and its properties. The Comprehensive Guide (2019)

Why are degrees needed? Where will you need them? Why should you take the time to study them?

To learn everything about degrees, what they are needed for, and how to use your knowledge in everyday life, read this article.

And, of course, knowledge of degrees will bring you closer to success passing the OGE or the Unified State Exam and admission to the university of your dreams.

Let's go... (Let's go!)

Important note! If you see gobbledygook instead of formulas, clear your cache. To do this, press CTRL+F5 (on Windows) or Cmd+R (on Mac).

FIRST LEVEL

Exponentiation is a mathematical operation just like addition, subtraction, multiplication or division.

Now I will explain everything in human language using very simple examples. Be careful. The examples are elementary, but explain important things.

Let's start with addition.

There is nothing to explain here. You already know everything: there are eight of us. Everyone has two bottles of cola. How much cola is there? That's right - 16 bottles.

Now multiplication.

So, to count faster, easier and without errors, you just need to remember multiplication table. Of course, you can do everything slower, more difficult and with mistakes! But…

Here is the multiplication table. Repeat.

And another, more beautiful one:

What other clever counting tricks have lazy mathematicians come up with? Right - raising a number to a power.

Raising a number to a power

All you need to do is remember what is highlighted in color in the table of powers of numbers. Believe me, this will make your life a lot easier.

By the way, why is it called the second degree? square numbers, and the third - cube? What does it mean? Very good question. Now you will have both squares and cubes.

Real life example #1

Let's start with the square or the second power of the number.

Real life example #2

Real life example #3

Now the cube or the third power of a number. The same pool. But now you need to find out how much water will have to be poured into this pool. You need to calculate the volume. (Volumes and liquids, by the way, are measured in cubic meters. Unexpected, right?) Draw a pool: the bottom is a meter in size and a meter deep, and try to count how many cubes measuring a meter by a meter will fit into your pool.

Well, to finally convince you that degrees were invented by quitters and cunning people to solve their life problems, and not to create problems for you, here are a couple more examples from life.

Real life example #4

You have a million rubles. At the beginning of each year, for every million you make, you make another million. That is, every million you have doubles at the beginning of each year. How much money will you have in years? If you are sitting now and “counting with your finger,” then you are a very hardworking person and... stupid. But most likely you will give an answer in a couple of seconds, because you are smart! So, in the first year - two multiplied by two... in the second year - what happened, by two more, in the third year... Stop! You noticed that the number is multiplied by itself times. So two to the fifth power is a million! Now imagine that you have a competition and the one who can count the fastest will get these millions... It’s worth remembering the powers of numbers, don’t you think?

Real life example #5

Now you know that by raising a number to a power you will make your life a lot easier. Let's take a further look at what you can do with degrees and what you need to know about them.

Terms and concepts... so as not to get confused

Well, at the same time, what such a degree basis? Even simpler - this is the number that is located below, at the base.

Here's a drawing for good measure.

Well, in general terms, in order to generalize and remember better... A degree with a base “ ” and an exponent “ ” is read as “to the degree” and is written as follows:

Power of a number with natural exponent

All fractions are rational numbers. How did they arise, do you think? Very simple. Several thousand years ago, our ancestors discovered that they lacked natural numbers to measure length, weight, area, etc. And they came up with rational numbers... Interesting, isn't it?

There are also irrational numbers. What are these numbers? In short, it's an infinite decimal fraction. For example, if you divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter, you get an irrational number.

Summary:

Let us define the concept of a degree whose exponent is a natural number (i.e., integer and positive).

Any number to the first power is equal to itself:
To square a number means to multiply it by itself:
To cube a number means to multiply it by itself three times:

Definition. Raising a number to a natural power means multiplying the number by itself times:
.

Properties of degrees

Where did these properties come from? I will show you now.

Let's see: what is it And ?

A-priory:

How many multipliers are there in total?

It’s very simple: we added multipliers to the factors, and the result is multipliers.

But by definition, this is a power of a number with an exponent, that is: , which is what needed to be proven.

Example: Simplify the expression.

Solution:

Example: Simplify the expression.

Solution: It is important to note that in our rule Necessarily there must be the same reasons!
Therefore, we combine the powers with the base, but it remains a separate factor:

only for the product of powers!

Under no circumstances can you write that.

2. that's it th power of a number

Just as with the previous property, let us turn to the definition of degree:

It turns out that the expression is multiplied by itself times, that is, according to the definition, this is the th power of the number:

In essence, this can be called “taking the indicator out of brackets.” But you can never do this in total:

Let's remember the abbreviated multiplication formulas: how many times did we want to write?

But this is not true, after all.

Power with negative base

Up to this point, we have only discussed what the exponent should be.

But what should be the basis?

In powers of natural indicator the basis may be any number. Indeed, we can multiply any numbers by each other, be they positive, negative, or even.

Let's think about which signs ("" or "") will have degrees of positive and negative numbers?

For example, is the number positive or negative? A? ? With the first one, everything is clear: no matter how many positive numbers we multiply by each other, the result will be positive.

But the negative ones are a little more interesting. We remember the simple rule from 6th grade: “minus for minus gives a plus.” That is, or. But if we multiply by, it works.

Determine for yourself what sign the following expressions will have:

1)	2)	3)
4)	5)	6)

Did you manage?

Here are the answers: In the first four examples, I hope everything is clear? We simply look at the base and exponent and apply the appropriate rule.

1) ; 2) ; 3) ; 4) ; 5) ; 6) .

In example 5) everything is also not as scary as it seems: after all, it doesn’t matter what the base is equal to - the degree is even, which means the result will always be positive.

Well, except when the base is zero. The base is not equal, is it? Obviously not, since (because).

Example 6) is no longer so simple!

6 examples to practice

Analysis of the solution 6 examples

Let's look carefully at the denominator. It looks a lot like one of the numerator factors, but what's wrong? The order of the terms is wrong. If they were reversed, the rule could apply.

But how to do that? It turns out that it’s very easy: the even degree of the denominator helps us here.

Magically the terms changed places. This “phenomenon” applies to any expression to an even degree: we can easily change the signs in parentheses.

But it's important to remember: all signs change at the same time!

Let's go back to the example:

And again the formula:

Whole we call the natural numbers, their opposites (that is, taken with the " " sign) and the number.

positive integer, and it is no different from natural, then everything looks exactly like in the previous section.

Now let's look at new cases. Let's start with an indicator equal to.

Any number to the zero power is equal to one:

As always, let us ask ourselves: why is this so?

Let's consider some degree with a base. Take, for example, and multiply by:

So, we multiplied the number by, and we got the same thing as it was - . What number should you multiply by so that nothing changes? That's right, on. Means.

We can do the same with an arbitrary number:

Let's repeat the rule:

Any number to the zero power is equal to one.

But there are exceptions to many rules. And here it is also there - this is a number (as a base).

Let's move on. In addition to natural numbers and numbers, integers also include negative numbers. To understand what a negative power is, let’s do as last time: multiply some normal number by the same number to a negative power:

From here it’s easy to express what you’re looking for:

Now let’s extend the resulting rule to an arbitrary degree:

So, let's formulate a rule:

A number with a negative power is the reciprocal of the same number with a positive power. But at the same time The base cannot be null:(because you can’t divide by).

Let's summarize:

I. The expression is not defined in the case. If, then.

II. Any number to the zero power is equal to one: .

III. A number not equal to zero to a negative power is the inverse of the same number to a positive power: .

Tasks for independent solution:

Well, as usual, examples for independent solutions:

Analysis of problems for independent solution:

Let's continue to expand the range of numbers “suitable” as an exponent.

Now let's consider rational numbers. What numbers are called rational?

Answer: everything that can be represented as a fraction, where and are integers, and.

To understand what it is "fractional degree", consider the fraction:

Let's raise both sides of the equation to a power:

Now let's remember the rule about "degree to degree":

What number must be raised to a power to get?

This formulation is the definition of the root of the th degree.

Let me remind you: the root of the th power of a number () is a number that, when raised to a power, is equal to.

That is, the root of the th power is the inverse operation of raising to a power: .

It turns out that. Obviously, this special case can be expanded: .

Now we add the numerator: what is it? The answer is easy to obtain using the power-to-power rule:

But can the base be any number? After all, the root cannot be extracted from all numbers.

None!

Let us remember the rule: any number raised to an even power is a positive number. That is, it is impossible to extract even roots from negative numbers!

This means that such numbers cannot be raised to a fractional power with an even denominator, that is, the expression does not make sense.

What about the expression?

But here a problem arises.

The number can be represented in the form of other, reducible fractions, for example, or.

And it turns out that it exists, but does not exist, but these are just two different records of the same number.

Or another example: once, then you can write it down. But if we write down the indicator differently, we will again get into trouble: (that is, we got a completely different result!).

To avoid such paradoxes, we consider only positive base exponent with fractional exponent.

So if:

- natural number;
- integer;

Examples:

Rational exponents are very useful for transforming expressions with roots, for example:

5 examples to practice

Analysis of 5 examples for training

Well, now comes the hardest part. Now we'll figure it out degree with irrational exponent.

All the rules and properties of degrees here are exactly the same as for a degree with a rational exponent, with the exception

After all, by definition, irrational numbers are numbers that cannot be represented as a fraction, where and are integers (that is, irrational numbers are all real numbers except rational ones).

When studying degrees with natural, integer and rational exponents, each time we created a certain “image”, “analogy”, or description in more familiar terms.

For example, a degree with a natural exponent is a number multiplied by itself several times;

...negative integer degree- it’s as if some “reverse process” had occurred, that is, the number was not multiplied by itself, but divided.

By the way, in science a degree with a complex exponent is often used, that is, the exponent is not even a real number.

But at school we don’t think about such difficulties; you will have the opportunity to comprehend these new concepts at the institute.

WHERE WE ARE SURE YOU WILL GO! (if you learn to solve such examples :))

For example:

Decide for yourself:

Analysis of solutions:

1. Let's start with the usual rule for raising a power to a power:

Now look at the indicator. Doesn't he remind you of anything? Let us recall the formula for abbreviated multiplication of difference of squares:

In this case,

It turns out that:

Answer: .

2. We reduce fractions in exponents to the same form: either both decimals or both ordinary ones. We get, for example:

Answer: 16

3. Nothing special, we use the usual properties of degrees:

ADVANCED LEVEL

Determination of degree

A degree is an expression of the form: , where:

— degree base;
- exponent.

Degree with natural indicator (n = 1, 2, 3,...)

Raising a number to the natural power n means multiplying the number by itself times:

Degree with an integer exponent (0, ±1, ±2,...)

If the exponent is positive integer number:

Construction to the zero degree:

The expression is indefinite, because, on the one hand, to any degree is this, and on the other hand, any number to the th degree is this.

If the exponent is negative integer number:

(because you can’t divide by).

Once again about zeros: the expression is not defined in the case. If, then.

Examples:

Power with rational exponent

- natural number;
- integer;

Examples:

Properties of degrees

To make it easier to solve problems, let’s try to understand: where did these properties come from? Let's prove them.

Let's see: what is and?

A-priory:

So, on the right side of this expression we get the following product:

But by definition it is a power of a number with an exponent, that is:

Q.E.D.

Example : Simplify the expression.

Solution : .

Example : Simplify the expression.

Solution : It is important to note that in our rule Necessarily there must be the same reasons. Therefore, we combine the powers with the base, but it remains a separate factor:

Another important note: this rule - only for product of powers!

Under no circumstances can you write that.

Just as with the previous property, let us turn to the definition of degree:

Let's regroup this work like this:

It turns out that the expression is multiplied by itself times, that is, according to the definition, this is the th power of the number:

In essence, this can be called “taking the indicator out of brackets.” But you can never do this in total: !

Let's remember the abbreviated multiplication formulas: how many times did we want to write? But this is not true, after all.

Power with a negative base.

Up to this point we have only discussed what it should be like index degrees. But what should be the basis? In powers of natural indicator the basis may be any number .

Indeed, we can multiply any numbers by each other, be they positive, negative, or even. Let's think about which signs ("" or "") will have degrees of positive and negative numbers?

For example, is the number positive or negative? A? ?

With the first one, everything is clear: no matter how many positive numbers we multiply by each other, the result will be positive.

But the negative ones are a little more interesting. We remember the simple rule from 6th grade: “minus for minus gives a plus.” That is, or. But if we multiply by (), we get - .

And so on ad infinitum: with each subsequent multiplication the sign will change. The following simple rules can be formulated:

even degree, - number positive.
Negative number raised to odd degree, - number negative.
A positive number to any degree is a positive number.
Zero to any power is equal to zero.

Determine for yourself what sign the following expressions will have:

1.	2.	3.
4.	5.	6.

Did you manage? Here are the answers:

1) ; 2) ; 3) ; 4) ; 5) ; 6) .

In the first four examples, I hope everything is clear? We simply look at the base and exponent and apply the appropriate rule.

And again we use the definition of degree:

Everything is as usual - we write down the definition of degrees and divide them by each other, divide them into pairs and get:

Before we look at the last rule, let's solve a few examples.

Calculate the expressions:

Solutions :

If we ignore the eighth power, what do we see here? Let's remember the 7th grade program. So, do you remember? This is the formula for abbreviated multiplication, namely the difference of squares!

We get:

If you multiply it by, nothing changes, right? But now it turns out like this:

Let's go back to the example:

And again the formula:

So now the last rule:

How will we prove it? Of course, as usual: let’s expand on the concept of degree and simplify it:

Example:

Degree with irrational exponent

It is extremely difficult to imagine a degree with an irrational exponent (just as it is difficult to imagine a 4-dimensional space). It is rather a purely mathematical object that mathematicians created to extend the concept of degree to the entire space of numbers.

So what do we do if we see an irrational exponent? We are trying our best to get rid of it! :)

For example:

Decide for yourself:

Answers:

Let's remember the difference of squares formula. Answer: .
We reduce the fractions to the same form: either both decimals or both ordinary ones. We get, for example: .
Nothing special, we use the usual properties of degrees:

SUMMARY OF THE SECTION AND BASIC FORMULAS

Degree called an expression of the form: , where:

Degree with an integer exponent

a degree whose exponent is a natural number (i.e., integer and positive).

Power with rational exponent

degree, the exponent of which is negative and fractional numbers.

Degree with irrational exponent

a degree whose exponent is an infinite decimal fraction or root.

Properties of degrees

Features of degrees.

Negative number raised to even degree, - number positive.
Negative number raised to odd degree, - number negative.
A positive number to any degree is a positive number.
Zero is equal to any power.
Any number to the zero power is equal.

NOW YOU HAVE THE WORD...

How do you like the article? Write below in the comments whether you liked it or not.

Tell us about your experience using degree properties.

Perhaps you have questions. Or suggestions.

Write in the comments.

And good luck on your exams!

Go to the youtube channel of our website to stay up to date with all the new video lessons.

First, let's remember the basic formulas of powers and their properties.

Product of a number a occurs on itself n times, we can write this expression as a a … a=a n

1. a 0 = 1 (a ≠ 0)

3. a n a m = a n + m

4. (a n) m = a nm

5. a n b n = (ab) n

7. a n / a m = a n - m

Power or exponential equations – these are equations in which the variables are in powers (or exponents), and the base is a number.

Examples of exponential equations:

IN in this example the number 6 is the base, it is always at the bottom, and the variable x degree or indicator.

Let us give more examples of exponential equations.
2 x *5=10
16 x - 4 x - 6=0

Now let's look at how exponential equations are solved?

Let's take a simple equation:

2 x = 2 3

This example can be solved even in your head. It can be seen that x=3. After all, in order for the left and right sides to be equal, you need to put the number 3 instead of x.
Now let’s see how to formalize this decision:

2 x = 2 3
x = 3

In order to solve such an equation, we removed identical grounds(that is, twos) and wrote down what was left, these are degrees. We got the answer we were looking for.

Now let's summarize our decision.

Algorithm for solving the exponential equation:
1. Need to check the same whether the equation has bases on the right and left. If the reasons are not the same, we are looking for options to solve this example.
2. After the bases become the same, equate degrees and solve the resulting new equation.

Now let's look at a few examples:

Let's start with something simple.

The bases on the left and right sides are equal to the number 2, which means we can discard the base and equate their powers.

x+2=4 The simplest equation is obtained.
x=4 – 2
x=2
Answer: x=2

In the following example you can see that the bases are different: 3 and 9.

3 3x - 9 x+8 = 0

First, move the nine to the right side, we get:

Now you need to make the same bases. We know that 9=3 2. Let's use the power formula (a n) m = a nm.

3 3x = (3 2) x+8

We get 9 x+8 =(3 2) x+8 =3 2x+16

3 3x = 3 2x+16 now you can see that in the left and right side the bases are the same and equal to three, which means we can discard them and equate the degrees.

3x=2x+16 we get the simplest equation
3x - 2x=16
x=16
Answer: x=16.

Let's look at the following example:

2 2x+4 - 10 4 x = 2 4

First of all, we look at the bases, bases two and four. And we need them to be the same. We transform the four using the formula (a n) m = a nm.

4 x = (2 2) x = 2 2x

And we also use one formula a n a m = a n + m:

2 2x+4 = 2 2x 2 4

Add to the equation:

2 2x 2 4 - 10 2 2x = 24

We gave an example for the same reasons. But other numbers 10 and 24 bother us. What to do with them? If you look closely you can see that on the left side we have 2 2x repeated, here is the answer - we can put 2 2x out of brackets:

2 2x (2 4 - 10) = 24

Let's calculate the expression in brackets:

2 4 — 10 = 16 — 10 = 6

We divide the entire equation by 6:

Let's imagine 4=2 2:

2 2x = 2 2 bases are the same, we discard them and equate the degrees.
2x = 2 is the simplest equation. Divide it by 2 and we get
x = 1
Answer: x = 1.

Let's solve the equation:

9 x – 12*3 x +27= 0

Let's transform:
9 x = (3 2) x = 3 2x

We get the equation:
3 2x - 12 3 x +27 = 0

Our bases are the same, equal to three. In this example, you can see that the first three has a degree twice (2x) than the second (just x). In this case, you can solve replacement method. Number s least degree replace:

Then 3 2x = (3 x) 2 = t 2

We replace all x powers in the equation with t:

t 2 - 12t+27 = 0
We get quadratic equation. Solving through the discriminant, we get:
D=144-108=36
t 1 = 9
t2 = 3

Returning to the variable x.

Take t 1:
t 1 = 9 = 3 x

That is,

3 x = 9
3 x = 3 2
x 1 = 2

One root was found. We are looking for the second one from t 2:
t 2 = 3 = 3 x
3 x = 3 1
x 2 = 1
Answer: x 1 = 2; x 2 = 1.

On the website you can ask any questions you may have in the HELP DECIDE section, we will definitely answer you.

Join the group

Expressions, expression conversion

Power expressions (expressions with powers) and their transformation

In this article we will talk about converting expressions with powers. First, we will focus on transformations that are performed with expressions of any kind, including power expressions, such as opening parentheses and bringing similar terms. And then we will analyze the transformations inherent specifically in expressions with degrees: working with the base and exponent, using the properties of degrees, etc.

Page navigation.

What are power expressions?

The term “power expressions” is almost never used school textbooks mathematics, but it appears quite often in collections of problems, especially those intended for preparation for the Unified State Exam and the Unified State Exam, for example. After analyzing the tasks in which it is necessary to perform any actions with power expressions, it becomes clear that power expressions are understood as expressions containing powers in their entries. Therefore, you can accept the following definition for yourself:

Definition.

Power expressions are expressions containing degrees.

Let's give examples of power expressions. Moreover, we will present them according to how the development of views on from a degree with a natural exponent to a degree with a real exponent occurs.

As is known, first one gets acquainted with the power of a number with a natural exponent; at this stage, the first simplest power expressions of the type 3 2, 7 5 +1, (2+1) 5, (−0.1) 4, 3 a 2 appear −a+a 2 , x 3−1 , (a 2) 3 etc.

A little later, the power of a number with an integer exponent is studied, which leads to the appearance of power expressions with integers negative powers, like the following: 3 −2 , , a −2 +2 b −3 +c 2 .

In high school they return to degrees. There a degree with a rational exponent is introduced, which entails the appearance of the corresponding power expressions: , , and so on. Finally, degrees with irrational exponents and expressions containing them are considered: , .

The matter is not limited to the listed power expressions: further the variable penetrates into the exponent, and, for example, the following expressions arise: 2 x 2 +1 or . And after getting acquainted with , expressions with powers and logarithms begin to appear, for example, x 2·lgx −5·x lgx.

So, we have dealt with the question of what power expressions represent. Next we will learn to transform them.

Main types of transformations of power expressions

With power expressions, you can perform any of the basic identity transformations of expressions. For example, you can expand the brackets, replace numeric expressions their meanings, give similar terms etc. Naturally, in this case, it is necessary to follow the accepted procedure for performing actions. Let's give examples.

Example.

Calculate the value of the power expression 2 3 ·(4 2 −12) .

Solution.

According to the order of execution of actions, first perform the actions in brackets. There, firstly, we replace the power 4 2 with its value 16 (if necessary, see), and secondly, we calculate the difference 16−12=4. We have 2 3 ·(4 2 −12)=2 3 ·(16−12)=2 3 ·4.

In the resulting expression, we replace the power 2 3 with its value 8, after which we calculate the product 8·4=32. This is the desired value.

So, 2 3 ·(4 2 −12)=2 3 ·(16−12)=2 3 ·4=8·4=32.

Answer:

2 3 ·(4 2 −12)=32.

Example.

Simplify expressions with powers 3 a 4 b −7 −1+2 a 4 b −7.

Solution.

It's obvious that this expression contains similar terms 3·a 4 ·b −7 and 2·a 4 ·b −7 , and we can give them: .

Answer:

3 a 4 b −7 −1+2 a 4 b −7 =5 a 4 b −7 −1.

Example.

Express an expression with powers as a product.

Solution.

You can cope with the task by representing the number 9 as a power of 3 2 and then using the formula for abbreviated multiplication - difference of squares:

Answer:

There are also a number identity transformations, inherent specifically in power expressions. We will analyze them further.

Working with base and exponent

There are degrees whose base and/or exponent are not just numbers or variables, but some expressions. As an example, we give the entries (2+0.3·7) 5−3.7 and (a·(a+1)−a 2) 2·(x+1) .

When working with similar expressions, you can replace both the expression in the base of the degree and the expression in the exponent identically equal expression on the ODZ of its variables. In other words, according to the rules known to us, we can separately transform the base of the degree and separately the exponent. It is clear that as a result of this transformation, an expression will be obtained that is identically equal to the original one.

Such transformations allow us to simplify expressions with powers or achieve other goals we need. For example, in the power expression mentioned above (2+0.3 7) 5−3.7, you can perform operations with the numbers in the base and exponent, which will allow you to move to the power 4.1 1.3. And after opening the brackets and bringing similar terms to the base of the degree (a·(a+1)−a 2) 2·(x+1) we obtain a power expression more simple type a 2·(x+1) .

Using Degree Properties

One of the main tools for transforming expressions with powers is equalities that reflect . Let us recall the main ones. For any positive numbers a and b and arbitrary real numbers r and s the following properties of degrees are valid:

a r ·a s =a r+s ;
a r:a s =a r−s ;
(a·b) r =a r ·b r ;
(a:b) r =a r:b r ;
(a r) s =a r·s .

Note that for natural, integer, and also positive indicators the degrees of restriction on the numbers a and b may not be so strict. For example, for natural numbers m and n the equality a m ·a n =a m+n is true not only for positive a, but also for negative a, and for a=0.

At school, the main focus when transforming power expressions is on the ability to choose the appropriate property and apply it correctly. In this case, the bases of degrees are usually positive, which allows the properties of degrees to be used without restrictions. The same applies to the transformation of expressions containing variables in the bases of powers - area acceptable values variables is usually such that the basis on it only accepts positive values, which allows you to freely use the properties of degrees. In general, you need to constantly ask yourself whether it is possible to use any property of degrees in this case, because inaccurate use of properties can lead to a narrowing of the educational value and other troubles. These points are discussed in detail and with examples in the article transformation of expressions using properties of powers. Here we will limit ourselves to considering a few simple examples.

Example.

Express the expression a 2.5 ·(a 2) −3:a −5.5 as a power with base a.

Solution.

First, we transform the second factor (a 2) −3 using the property of raising a power to a power: (a 2) −3 =a 2·(−3) =a −6. The original power expression will take the form a 2.5 ·a −6:a −5.5. Obviously, it remains to use the properties of multiplication and division of powers with the same base, we have
a 2.5 ·a −6:a −5.5 =
a 2.5−6:a −5.5 =a −3.5:a −5.5 =
a −3.5−(−5.5) =a 2 .

Answer:

a 2.5 ·(a 2) −3:a −5.5 =a 2.

Properties of powers when transforming power expressions are used both from left to right and from right to left.

Example.

Find the value of the power expression.

Solution.

The equality (a·b) r =a r ·b r, applied from right to left, allows us to move from the original expression to a product of the form and further. And when multiplying powers with on the same grounds the indicators add up: .

It was possible to transform the original expression in another way:

Answer:

Example.

Given the power expression a 1.5 −a 0.5 −6, introduce a new variable t=a 0.5.

Solution.

The degree a 1.5 can be represented as a 0.5 3 and then, based on the property of the degree to the degree (a r) s =a r s, applied from right to left, transform it to the form (a 0.5) 3. Thus, a 1.5 −a 0.5 −6=(a 0.5) 3 −a 0.5 −6. Now it’s easy to introduce a new variable t=a 0.5, we get t 3 −t−6.

Answer:

t 3 −t−6 .

Converting fractions containing powers

Power expressions can contain or represent fractions with powers. Any of the basic transformations of fractions that are inherent in fractions of any kind are fully applicable to such fractions. That is, fractions that contain powers can be reduced, reduced to a new denominator, worked separately with their numerator and separately with the denominator, etc. To illustrate these words, consider solutions to several examples.

Example.

Simplify power expression .

Solution.

This power expression is a fraction. Let's work with its numerator and denominator. In the numerator we open the brackets and simplify the resulting expression using the properties of powers, and in the denominator we present similar terms:

And let’s also change the sign of the denominator by placing a minus in front of the fraction: .

Answer:

Reduction of fractions containing powers to a new denominator is carried out in the same way as reduction to a new denominator rational fractions. In this case, an additional factor is also found and the numerator and denominator of the fraction are multiplied by it. When performing this action, it is worth remembering that reduction to a new denominator can lead to a narrowing of the VA. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary that the additional factor does not go to zero for any values of the variables from the ODZ variables for the original expression.

Example.

Reduce the fractions to a new denominator: a) to denominator a, b) to the denominator.

Solution.

a) In this case, it is quite easy to figure out what additional multiplier helps to achieve desired result. This is a multiplier of a 0.3, since a 0.7 ·a 0.3 =a 0.7+0.3 =a. Note that in the range of permissible values of the variable a (this is the set of all positive real numbers), the power of a 0.3 does not vanish, therefore, we have the right to multiply the numerator and denominator of a given fraction by this additional factor:

b) Taking a closer look at the denominator, you will find that

and multiplying this expression by will give the sum of cubes and , that is, . And this is it new denominator, to which we need to reduce the original fraction.

This is how we found an additional factor. In the range of permissible values of the variables x and y, the expression does not vanish, therefore, we can multiply the numerator and denominator of the fraction by it:

Answer:

A) , b) .

There is also nothing new in reducing fractions containing powers: the numerator and denominator are represented as a number of factors, and the same factors of the numerator and denominator are reduced.

Example.

Reduce the fraction: a) , b) .

Solution.

a) Firstly, the numerator and denominator can be reduced by the numbers 30 and 45, which is equal to 15. It is also obviously possible to perform a reduction by x 0.5 +1 and by . Here's what we have:

b) In this case, identical factors in the numerator and denominator are not immediately visible. To obtain them, you will have to perform preliminary transformations. In this case, they consist in factoring the denominator using the difference of squares formula:

Answer:

A)

b) .

Converting fractions to a new denominator and reducing fractions are mainly used to do things with fractions. Actions are performed according to known rules. When adding (subtracting) fractions, they are reduced to a common denominator, after which the numerators are added (subtracted), but the denominator remains the same. The result is a fraction whose numerator is the product of the numerators, and the denominator is the product of the denominators. Division by a fraction is multiplication by its inverse.

Example.

Follow the steps .

Solution.

First, we subtract the fractions in parentheses. To do this, we bring them to a common denominator, which is , after which we subtract the numerators:

Now we multiply the fractions:

Obviously, it is possible to reduce by a power of x 1/2, after which we have .

You can also simplify the power expression in the denominator by using the difference of squares formula: .

Answer:

Example.

Simplify the Power Expression .

Solution.

Obviously, given fraction can be reduced by (x 2.7 +1) 2, this gives the fraction . It is clear that something else needs to be done with the powers of X. To do this, we transform the resulting fraction into a product. This gives us the opportunity to take advantage of the property of dividing powers with the same bases: . And at the end of the process we move from last work to a fraction.

Answer:

And let us also add that it is possible and in many cases desirable to use multipliers with negative indicators degrees are transferred from the numerator to the denominator or from the denominator to the numerator, changing the sign of the exponent. Such transformations often simplify further actions. For example, a power expression can be replaced by .

Converting expressions with roots and powers

Often in expressions in which some transformations are required, along with powers with fractional indicators roots are also present. To convert similar expression to the desired form, in most cases it is enough to go only to roots or only to powers. But since it is more convenient to work with powers, they usually move from roots to powers. However, it is advisable to carry out such a transition when the ODZ of variables for the original expression allows you to replace the roots with powers without the need to refer to the module or split the ODZ into several intervals (we discussed this in detail in the article transition from roots to powers and back After getting acquainted with the degree with a rational exponent a degree with an irrational exponent is introduced, which allows us to talk about a degree with an arbitrary real exponent. At this stage, the school begins to study exponential function , which is analytically given by a power, the base of which is a number, and the exponent is a variable. So we are faced with power expressions containing numbers in the base of the power, and in the exponent - expressions with variables, and naturally the need arises to perform transformations of such expressions.

It should be said that transforming expressions specified type usually have to be done when solving exponential equations And exponential inequalities , and these conversions are quite simple. In the overwhelming majority of cases, they are based on the properties of the degree and are aimed, for the most part, at introducing a new variable in the future. The equation will allow us to demonstrate them 5 2 x+1 −3 5 x 7 x −14 7 2 x−1 =0.

Firstly, powers, in the exponents of which is the sum of a certain variable (or expression with variables) and a number, are replaced by products. This applies to the first and last terms of the expression on the left side:
5 2 x 5 1 −3 5 x 7 x −14 7 2 x 7 −1 =0,
5 5 2 x −3 5 x 7 x −2 7 2 x =0.

Next, both sides of the equality are divided by the expression 7 2 x, which on the ODZ of the variable x for the original equation takes only positive values (this is a standard technique for solving equations of this type, we are not talking about it now, so focus on subsequent transformations of expressions with powers ):

Now we can cancel fractions with powers, which gives .

Finally, the ratio of powers with the same indicators is replaced by powers of relations, leading to the equation , which is equivalent . The transformations made allow us to introduce a new variable, which reduces the solution of the original exponential equation to the solution of a quadratic equation

I. V. Boykov, L. D. Romanova Collection of tasks for preparing for the Unified State Exam. Part 1. Penza 2003.