BE 102 │ ALGEBRA AND TRIGONOMETRY

2nd Semester

WEEK: 3 (Exponential
Expression)

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 I. Overview

Mathematicians, scientists, and economists commonly encounter very large and very small
numbers. But it may not be obvious how common such figures are in everyday life. For instance, a pixel is
the smallest unit of light that can be perceived and recorded by a digital camera. A particular camera
might record an image that is 2,048 pixels by 1,536 pixels, which is a very high resolution picture. It can
also perceive a color depth (gradations in colors) of up to 48 bits per frame, and can shoot the equivalent
of 24 frames per second. The maximum possible number of bits of information used to film a one-hour
(3,600-second) digital film is then an extremely large number.
Using a calculator, we enter 2, 048 × 1,536 × 48 × 24 × 3,600 and press ENTER. The calculator
displays 1.304596316E13. What does this mean? The “E13” portion of the result represents the exponent
13 of ten, so there are a maximum of approximately 1.3 × 1013 bits of data in that one-hour film. In this
module, we review rules of exponents first and then apply them to calculations involving very large or
small numbers.

II. Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

a. evaluate and simplify an expressions with integral exponents
b. perform the four fundamental operations on exponential expression

III. Discussion and

Self-Assessment
Activities(SAA)

Unlocking of Difficulties

EXPONENTIAL EXPRESSION an algebraic expression that contains exponent

BASE in exponential notation, the expression that is being

multiplied

EXPONENT in exponential notation, the raised number or variable that

indicates how many times the base is being multiplied

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 Evaluating Expression with Integral
Exponent

An exponential expression is an algebraic expression that contains exponents.

Recall that an exponent is the number of times the base is used as a factor. This is true
whether the base is a number or a variable. For example:

Because an exponential expression is just a special case of an algebraic

expression, we will use the same process to evaluate each. For example, to evaluate
5x3 for x = 2:

How to evaluate expression with integral exponent?

 Replace the variable(s) with the given value(s)

 Simplify the result using the correct order of operations.

IMPORTANT NOTE

 If an exponent is not shown, the exponent is understood to be 1. For

example, 5 is the same as 51.

EXAMPLES:

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 1
c) 5𝑎2 𝑏 − 2𝑎𝑐 + 4 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎 = −2, 𝑏 = 1 𝑐 =
2

SOLUTION
1
5𝑎2 𝑏 − 2𝑎𝑐 + 4 = 5(−2)2 (1) − 2(−2) ( ) + 4
2

= 5(4)(1) – 2(-1) +4

= 20 +2 + 4

= 26

Laws of Exponent
(Integral Exponent)

PRODUCT
RULE

QUOTIENT
RULE

POWER
RULE

ZERO
EXPONENT
RULE

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 EXAMPLES USING THE PRODUCT RULE

EXAMPLES USING THE QUOTIENT RULE

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 EXAMPLES USING THE POWER RULE

EXAMPLES USING THE ZERO EXPONENT RULE

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ADDITIONAL EXPONENT RULE

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 The Negative Rule of Exponents

For any nonzero real number a and natural number n, the negative rule of exponents states
that:

𝟏
𝒂−𝒏 =
𝒂𝒏

EXAMPLES USING THE NEGATIVE RULE OF EXPONENT

SOLUTION

Simplifying Exponential Expression

Recall that to simplify an expression means to rewrite it by combing terms or exponents;

in other words, to write the expression more simply with fewer terms. The rules for exponents may
be combined to simplify expressions.

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 Fundamental Operations on Exponential
Expression (Integral Exponent)

Adding
Exponential
Expression

Subtracting
Exponential
Expression

IMPORTANT NOTES

In multiplying exponential expression, apply the product rule or power rule

In dividing exponential expression, apply the quotient rule.
A common mistake that many students make is to multiply the exponents on powers with
the same variables as a base. This is NOT CORRECT. Remember the exponent rules!

IV. Summary/Key
Points

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 IMPORTANT NOTES

 For an exponential expression to be simplified, any of the above

exponent rules that can be used must be used.
 To simplify an expression means to rewrite it by combing terms or
exponents; in other words, to write the expression more simply with
fewer terms. The rules for exponents may be combined to simplify
expressions.
 Also remember to simplify fractions in final answers.

V. End of Module
Assessment
(EMA)

Simplify the following exponential expression using one or more rules.

a. (−2𝑥 2 𝑦)(3𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧)2

b. (−𝑟𝑠3 )(𝑟 5 𝑠2 𝑡 2 )2

c. (9𝑎6 𝑏 3 )(−7𝑎2 𝑏 4 )
𝑥 3
d. ( )
5𝑥 2

−2𝑎𝑏2 2
e. ( ) ,𝑐 ≠0
𝑐3

VI. Looking Ahead

How do you simplify exponential expression with rational exponent?

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 VII. Self - learning
and Module
Evaluation

How was your experience? Tell me about it

1- Needs Improvement, 2-Fair, 3-Good, 4-Very good, 5-Excellent

Self-Evaluation (Write your response below)

4 - I learned a lot from this module

3 - I learned just right.

2 - I still need guidance on certain topics.

1 - I don’t understand anything discussed.

Your Answer -

VIII. References

Open stax college, Algebra and Trigonometry , Rice University, 6100 Main Street MS -375,
Houston Texas 77005

[Link]

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 Key to Correction
Module 2
Algebraic Fraction

End of Module Assessment (EMA)

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