How to Use the Distributive Property of Exponents
Summary
The distributive property of exponents over multiplication says that when you have multiple factors raised to an exponent, the exponent can be distributed to each of the factors individually.
\((ab)^{x}=a^{x}b^{x}\)
This property can also be applied to division and it can be used in reverse to multiply or divide powers with the same exponent.
Two Distributive Properties
Most math teachers call the distributive property of exponents some variation of...
- Product Rule of Exponents (Same Exponent, Different Bases)
- Multiplying Exponents with Different Bases
- Multiplying Powers with Same Exponents
I call it the "distributive property of exponents over multiplication" because the relationship between exponents and multiplication is very similar to the relationship between multiplication and addition.
The relationship between multiplication and addition is called the "distributive property of multiplication over addition" and you can read more about it here.
Why It Works
Multiplication Over Addition
\(3(2x+5y)=6x+15y\)
Exponents Over Multiplication
\((x^{5}y^{4})^{2}=x^{10}y^{8}\)
There are two different distributive properties.
- The first one (multiplication over addition) is the one that everyone thinks of when they hear "distributive property".
- The second one (exponents over multiplication) is a term I made up to describe one of the exponent rules.
There are a lot of similarities between these two properties.
Both distributive properties have parentheses.
- The distributive property of multiplication over addition has addition inside the parentheses. Each term inside the parentheses is multiplied by the outside number.
- The distributive property of exponents over multiplication has multiplication inside the parentheses. Each factor inside the parentheses is raised to the outside exponent.
When you look at WHY they work, there are also a lot of similarities...
\(3(2x+5y)=6x+15y\)
\(2x+5y\) is the same thing as \(x+x+y+y+y+y+y\).
When you make 3 copies of that, you get...
\(x+x+y+y+y+y+y+\)
\(x+x+y+y+y+y+y+\)
\(x+x+y+y+y+y+y\)
There are a total of 6 x's and 15 y's being added together, so that is why...
\(3(2x+5y)=6x+15y\)
\((x^{5}y^{4})^{2}=x^{10}y^{8}\)
\(x^{5}y^{4}\) is the same thing as \(xxxxxyyyy\).
When you multiply that by itself 2 times, you get...
\((xxxxxyyyy)(xxxxxyyyy)\)
There's a total of 10 x's and 8 y's multiplied together, so that is why...
\((x^{5}y^{4})^{2}=x^{10}y^{8}\)
Important Note:
Exponents can NOT be distributed over addition or subtraction.
\((x+y)^2\neq x^2+y^2\)
If you have an exponent outside of parentheses with addition or subtraction inside, then you need to follow the rules for multiplying polynomials.
How to Use the
Distributive Property of Exponents
Distribute Exponents over Multiplication
\((ab)^{x}=a^{x}b^{x}\)
Show/Hide for Steps & Examples
Examples
\((3x)^{4}=81x^{4}\)
\((ab)^{5}=a^{5}b^{5}\)
\((2y)^{5}=32y^{5}\)
How to Use It
- Identify the factors inside the parentheses.
- Distribute the exponent outside the parentheses to each of the factors inside the parentheses.
- Simplify the powers (using the power rule of exponents, if needed).
Example
Simplify \((3x^{4}y)^2\)
The factors in this expression are 3, \(x^4\), and y.
I need to distribute the outside exponent of 2 to each factor.
\((3x^{4}y)^2=3^{2}(x^4)^{2}y^{2}\)
Next, I'll simplify each factor, if possible.
\(3^{2} = 3\times3=9\)
\((x^4)^{2}=x^8\) because of the power rule of exponents.
\(y^2\) cannot be simplified further.
\(3^{2}(x^4)^{2}y^{2}=9x^{8}y^{2}\)
Answer: \((3x^{4}y)^2=9x^{8}y^{2}\)
Distribute Exponents over Division
\((\frac{a}{b})^{x}=\frac{a^{x}}{b^{x}}\)
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Examples
\((\frac{a}{b})^{7}=\frac{a^{7}}{b^{7}}\)
\((\frac{x^2}{4})^{3}=\frac{x^{6}}{64}\)
\((\frac{5}{xyz})^{3}=\frac{125}{x^{3}y^{3}z^{3}}\)
How to Use It
- Identify all the factors in the numerator.
- Identify all the factors in the denominator.
- Distribute the exponent outside the parentheses to each of the factors in the numerator and the denominator.
- Simplify the powers (using the power rule of exponents, if needed).
Example
Simplify \((\frac{3xy}{7z^4})^{2}\)
The factors in the numerator are 3, x, and y.
The factors in the denominator are 7 and \(z^4\).
I need to distribute the outside exponent of 2 to each factor.
\((\frac{3xy}{7z^4})^{2}=\frac{3^2x^2y^2}{7^2(z^4)^2}\)
Next, I'll simplify each factor, if possible.
\(3^{2} = 3\times3=9\)
\(x^2\) and \(y^2\) cannot be simplified further.
\(7^{2} = 7\times7=49\)
\((x^4)^{2}=x^8\) because of the power rule of exponents.
So...
\(\frac{3^2x^2y^2}{7^2(z^4)^2}=\frac{9x^2y^2}{49z^8}\)
Answer: \((\frac{3xy}{7z^4})^{2}=\frac{9x^2y^2}{49z^8}\)
Use the Reverse Property for Multiplication
\(a^{x}b^{x}=(ab)^{x}\)
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Examples
\(2^{3}4^{3}=8^{3}\)
\(7^{2}x^{2}=(7x)^{2}\)
\(a^{5}b^{5}=(ab)^{5}\)
How to Use It
- Make sure ALL the powers you are multiplying have the same exponent.
- Multiply the bases and write the power with one exponent.
- Simplify, if needed.
Example
Simplify \((6^3)(5^3)\).
These two powers do have the same exponent (3).
So, I will multiply the bases together.
\((6^3)(5^3)=30^3\)
There are no variables so I can evaluate this expression.
\(30^{3} = 30\times30\times30=27000\)
Answer: \((6^3)(5^3)=27000\)
Use the Reverse Property for Division
\(\frac{a^{x}}{b^{x}}=(\frac{a}{b})^{x}\)
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Examples
\(\frac{a^{9}}{b^{9}}=(\frac{a}{b})^{9}\)
\(\frac{4^{2}}{x^{2}}=(\frac{4}{x})^{2}\)
\(\frac{5^3x^{3}}{y^{3}}=(\frac{5x}{y})^{3}\)
How to Use It
- Make sure ALL the powers you are dividing have the same exponent.
- Divide the bases and write the power with one exponent.
- Simplify, if needed.
Example
Simplify \(\frac{8^{3}}{2^{3}}\).
These two powers do have the same exponent (3).
So, I will divide the bases and rewrite the power.
\(\frac{8^{3}}{2^{3}}=4^3\)
There are no variables so I can evaluate the expression.
\(4^{3} = 4\times4\times4=64\)
Answer:\(\frac{8^{3}}{2^{3}}=64\)
Resources
Free Online Practice Problems
Khan Academy - Powers of products & quotients (structured practice)
Khan Academy - Powers of products & quotients (integer exponents)
Khan Academy - Powers of products & quotients
Free Printable Worksheets
Math Aids - Products to a Power Worksheet Generator
Math Aids - Quotients to a Power Worksheet Generator
Math Aids - Products and Quotients to a Power Worksheet Generator
To use the worksheet generator from Math Aids, select the options you want for your worksheet and then click the "Create It" button.
