A degree with a rational exponent is the definition of a property. A degree with a rational and real exponent. Power with natural exponent, square of a number, cube of a number

Power with rational exponent

Khasyanova T.G.,

mathematics teacher

The presented material will be useful to mathematics teachers when studying the topic “Exponent with a rational exponent.”

The purpose of the presented material: to reveal my experience of conducting a lesson on the topic “Exponent with a rational exponent” work program discipline "Mathematics".

The methodology for conducting the lesson corresponds to its type - a lesson in studying and initially consolidating new knowledge. Updated background knowledge and skills based on previously gained experience; primary memorization, consolidation and application of new information. Consolidation and application of new material took place in the form of solving problems that I tested of varying complexity, giving a positive result in mastering the topic.

At the beginning of the lesson, I set the following goals for the students: educational, developmental, educational. During the lesson I used various ways activities: frontal, individual, pair, independent, test. The tasks were differentiated and made it possible to identify, at each stage of the lesson, the degree of knowledge acquisition. The volume and complexity of tasks corresponds age characteristics students. From my experience - homework, similar to the problems solved in the classroom, allows you to reliably consolidate the acquired knowledge and skills. At the end of the lesson, reflection was carried out and the work of individual students was assessed.

The goals were achieved. Students studied the concept and properties of a degree with a rational exponent, and learned to use these properties when solving practical problems. Behind independent work Grades will be announced at the next lesson.

I believe that the methodology I use for teaching mathematics can be used by mathematics teachers.

Lesson topic: Power with rational exponent

The purpose of the lesson:

Identifying the level of students’ mastery of a complex of knowledge and skills and, on its basis, applying certain solutions to improve the educational process.

Lesson objectives:

Educational: to form new knowledge among students of basic concepts, rules, laws for determining degrees with a rational indicator, the ability to independently apply knowledge in standard conditions, in modified and non-standard conditions;

developing: think logically and implement Creative skills;

raising: to develop an interest in mathematics, to replenish vocabulary new terms, get Additional information about the world around us. Cultivate patience, perseverance, and the ability to overcome difficulties.

    Organizing time

    Updating of reference knowledge

    When multiplying powers with the same bases, the exponents are added, but the base remains the same:

For example,

2. When dividing degrees with the same bases, the exponents of the degrees are subtracted, but the base remains the same:


For example,

3. When raising a degree to a power, the exponents are multiplied, but the base remains the same:


For example,

4. The degree of the product is equal to the product of the degrees of the factors:

For example,

5. The degree of the quotient is equal to the quotient of the degrees of the dividend and divisor:


For example,

Exercises with solutions

Find the meaning of the expression:

Solution:

In this case, none of the properties of a degree with a natural exponent can be applied explicitly, since all degrees have different bases. Let's write some powers in a different form:

(the degree of the product is equal to the product of the degrees of the factors);


(when multiplying powers with the same bases, the exponents are added, but the base remains the same; when raising a degree to a power, the exponents are multiplied, but the base remains the same).

Then we get:

IN in this example The first four properties of degree with natural exponent were used.

Arithmetic square root
is a non-negative number whose square is equal toa,
. At
- expression
not defined, because there is no real number whose square is equal to a negative numbera.

Mathematical dictation (8-10 min.)

    Option

II. Option

1.Find the value of the expression

A)

b)

1.Find the value of the expression

A)

b)

2.Calculate

A)

b)

IN)

2.Calculate

A)

b)

V)

Self-test(on the lapel board):

Response Matrix:

option/task

Problem 1

Problem 2

Option 1

a) 2

b) 2

a) 0.5

b)

V)

Option 2

a) 1.5

b)

A)

b)

at 4

II. Formation of new knowledge

Let's consider what meaning the expression has, where - positive number– fractional number and m-integer, n-natural (n›1)

Definition: power of a›0 with rational exponentr = , m-whole, n-natural ( n›1) the number is called.

So:

For example:

Notes:

1. For any positive a and any rational r number positively.

2. When
rational power of a numberanot determined.

Expressions like
don't make sense.

3.If a fractional positive number is
.

If fractional negative number, then -doesn't make sense.

For example: - doesn't make sense.

Let's consider the properties of a degree with a rational exponent.

Let a >0, b>0; r, s - any rational numbers. Then a degree with any rational exponent has the following properties:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

III. Consolidation. Formation of new skills and abilities.

Task cards work in small groups in the form of a test.

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.

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What are power expressions?

The term “power expressions” practically does not appear in school mathematics textbooks, 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 indicators and expressions containing them: , .

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 open parentheses, replace numerical expressions with their values, add 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.

Obviously, this expression contains similar terms 3·a 4 ·b −7 and 2·a 4 ·b −7 , and we can present 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 such expressions, you can replace both the expression in the base of the degree and the expression in the exponent with an identically equal expression in 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 of a simpler form 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 positive exponents, the restrictions 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 - the range of permissible values ​​of variables is usually such that the bases take only positive values ​​on it, which allows you to freely use the properties of powers. 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 degrees. 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 the same bases, the exponents 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 ODZ. 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 which additional multiplier helps to achieve the 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 the 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, this 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 transfer factors with negative exponents 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, roots with fractional exponents are also present along with powers. To transform such an 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, it begins to be studied at school. 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 the transformation of expressions of the indicated type usually has to be performed 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 to the original exponential equation to solving a quadratic equation

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

  • In this article we will figure out what it is degree of. Here we will give definitions of the power of a number, while we will consider in detail all possible exponents, starting with the natural exponent and ending with the irrational one. In the material you will find a lot of examples of degrees, covering all the subtleties that arise.

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    Power with natural exponent, square of a number, cube of a number

    Let's start with . Looking ahead, let's say that the definition of the power of a number a with natural exponent n is given for a, which we will call degree basis, and n, which we will call exponent. We also note that a degree with a natural exponent is determined through a product, so to understand the material below you need to have an understanding of multiplying numbers.

    Definition.

    Power of a number with natural exponent n is an expression of the form a n, the value of which is equal to the product of n factors, each of which is equal to a, that is, .
    In particular, the power of a number a with exponent 1 is the number a itself, that is, a 1 =a.

    It’s worth mentioning right away about the rules for reading degrees. The universal way to read the notation a n is: “a to the power of n”. In some cases, the following options are also acceptable: “a to the nth power” and “nth power of a”. For example, let's take the power 8 12, this is “eight to the power of twelve”, or “eight to the twelfth power”, or “twelfth power of eight”.

    The second power of a number, as well as the third power of a number, have their own names. The second power of a number is called square the number, for example, 7 2 is read as “seven squared” or “the square of the number seven.” The third power of a number is called cubed numbers, for example, 5 3 can be read as “five cubed” or you can say “cube of the number 5”.

    It's time to bring examples of degrees with natural exponents. Let's start with the degree 5 7, here 5 is the base of the degree, and 7 is the exponent. Let's give another example: 4.32 is the base, and the natural number 9 is the exponent (4.32) 9 .

    Please note that in the last example, the base of the power 4.32 is written in parentheses: to avoid discrepancies, we will put in parentheses all bases of the power that are different from natural numbers. As an example, we give the following degrees with natural exponents , their bases are not natural numbers, so they are written in parentheses. Well, for complete clarity, at this point we will show the difference contained in records of the form (−2) 3 and −2 3. The expression (−2) 3 is a power of −2 with a natural exponent of 3, and the expression −2 3 (it can be written as −(2 3) ) corresponds to the number, the value of the power 2 3 .

    Note that there is a notation for the power of a number a with an exponent n of the form a^n. Moreover, if n is a multi-valued natural number, then the exponent is taken in brackets. For example, 4^9 is another notation for the power of 4 9 . And here are some more examples of writing degrees using the symbol “^”: 14^(21) , (−2,1)^(155) . In what follows, we will primarily use degree notation of the form a n .

    One of the problems inverse to raising to a power with a natural exponent is the problem of finding the base of a power from a known value of the power and a known exponent. This task leads to .

    It is known that many rational numbers consists of whole and fractional numbers, and each fractional number can be represented as positive or negative common fraction. We defined a degree with an integer exponent in the previous paragraph, therefore, in order to complete the definition of a degree with a rational exponent, we need to give the meaning of the degree of the number a with fractional indicator m/n , where m is an integer and n is a natural number. Let's do it.

    Let's consider a degree with a fractional exponent of the form . For the power-to-power property to remain valid, the equality must hold . If we take into account the resulting equality and how we determined , then it is logical to accept it provided that for given m, n and a the expression makes sense.

    It is easy to check that for all properties of a degree with an integer exponent are valid (this was done in the section properties of a degree with a rational exponent).

    The above reasoning allows us to make the following conclusion: if given m, n and a the expression makes sense, then the power of a with a fractional exponent m/n is called the nth root of a to the power of m.

    This statement brings us close to the definition of a degree with a fractional exponent. All that remains is to describe at what m, n and a the expression makes sense. Depending on the restrictions placed on m, n and a, there are two main approaches.

      The easiest way is to impose a constraint on a by taking a≥0 for positive m and a>0 for negative m (since for m≤0 the degree 0 of m is not defined). Then we get the following definition of a degree with a fractional exponent.

      Definition.

      Power of a positive number a with fractional exponent m/n, where m is an integer and n is a natural number, is called the nth root of the number a to the power of m, that is, .

      The fractional power of zero is also determined with the only caveat that the indicator must be positive.

      Definition.

      Power of zero with fractional positive exponent m/n, where m is a positive integer and n is a natural number, is defined as .
      When the degree is not determined, that is, the degree of the number zero with a fractional negative exponent does not make sense.

      It should be noted that with this definition of a degree with a fractional exponent, there is one caveat: for some negative a and some m and n, the expression makes sense, and we discarded these cases by introducing the condition a≥0. For example, the entries make sense or , and the definition given above forces us to say that powers with a fractional exponent of the form do not make sense, since the base should not be negative.

      Another approach to determining a degree with a fractional exponent m/n is to separately consider even and odd exponents of the root. This approach requires additional condition: the power of the number a, the exponent of which is, is considered to be the power of the number a, the exponent of which is the corresponding irreducible fraction (we will explain the importance of this condition below). That is, if m/n is an irreducible fraction, then for any natural number k the degree is first replaced by .

      For even n and positive m, the expression makes sense for any non-negative a (an even root of a negative number does not make sense); for negative m, the number a must still be different from zero (otherwise there will be division by zero). And for odd n and positive m, the number a can be any (the root of an odd degree is defined for any real number), and for negative m, the number a must be different from zero (so that there is no division by zero).

      The above reasoning leads us to this definition of a degree with a fractional exponent.

      Definition.

      Let m/n be an irreducible fraction, m an integer, and n a natural number. For any reducible fraction, the degree is replaced by . The power of a number with an irreducible fractional exponent m/n is for

      Let us explain why a degree with a reducible fractional exponent is first replaced by a degree with an irreducible exponent. If we simply defined the degree as , and did not make a reservation about the irreducibility of the fraction m/n, then we would be faced with situations similar to the following: since 6/10 = 3/5, then the equality must hold , But , A .

    The expression a n (power with an integer exponent) will be defined in all cases, except for the case when a = 0 and n is less than or equal to zero.

    Properties of degrees

    Basic properties of degrees with an integer exponent:

    a m *a n = a (m+n) ;

    a m: a n = a (m-n) (with a not equal to zero);

    (a m) n = a (m*n) ;

    (a*b) n = a n *b n ;

    (a/b) n = (a n)/(b n) (with b not equal to zero);

    a 0 = 1 (with a not equal to zero);

    These properties will be valid for any numbers a, b and any integers m and n. It is also worth noting the following property:

    If m>n, then a m > a n, for a>1 and a m

    We can generalize the concept of the power of a number to cases where rational numbers act as the exponent. At the same time, I would like all of the above properties to be fulfilled, or at least some of them.

    For example, if the property (a m) n = a (m*n) were satisfied, the following equality would hold:

    (a (m/n)) n = a m .

    This equality means that the number a (m/n) must be the nth root of the number a m.

    The power of some number a (greater than zero) with a rational exponent r = (m/n), where m is some integer, n is some natural number greater than one, is the number n√(a m). Based on the definition: a (m/n) = n√(a m).

    For all positive r, the power of zero will be determined. By definition, 0 r = 0. Note also that for any integer, any natural m and n, and positive A the following equality is true: a (m/n) = a ((mk)/(nk)) .

    For example: 134 (3/4) = 134 (6/8) = 134 (9/12).

    From the definition of a degree with a rational exponent it directly follows that for any positive a and any rational r the number a r will be positive.

    Basic properties of a degree with a rational exponent

    For any rational numbers p, q and any a>0 and b>0 the following equalities are true:

    1. (a p)*(a q) = a (p+q) ;

    2. (a p):(b q) = a (p-q) ;

    3. (a p) q = a (p*q) ;

    4. (a*b) p = (a p)*(b p);

    5. (a/b) p = (a p)/(b p).

    These properties follow from the properties of the roots. All these properties are proven in a similar way, so we will limit ourselves to proving only one of them, for example, the first (a p)*(a q) = a (p + q) .

    Let p = m/n, and q = k/l, where n, l are some integers, and m, k are some integers. Then you need to prove that:

    (a (m/n))*(a (k/l)) = a ((m/n) + (k/l)) .

    First, let's bring the fractions m/n k/l to a common denominator. We get the fractions (m*l)/(n*l) and (k*n)/(n*l). Let's rewrite the left side of the equality using these notations and get:

    (a (m/n))*(a (k/l)) = (a ((m*l)/(n*l)))*(a ((k*n)/(n*l)) ).

    (a (m/n))*(a (k/l)) = (a ((m*l)/(n*l)))*(a ((k*n)/(n*l)) ) = (n*l)√(a (m*l))*(n*l)√(a (k*n)) = (n*l)√((a (m*l))*(a (k*n))) = (n*l)√(a (m*l+k*n)) = a ((m*l+k*n)/(n*l)) = a ((m /n)+(k/l)) .


    After the degree of a number has been determined, it is logical to talk about degree properties. In this article we will give the basic properties of the power of a number, while touching on all possible exponents. Here we will provide proofs of all properties of degrees, and also show how these properties are used when solving examples.

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    Properties of degrees with natural exponents

    By definition of a power with a natural exponent, the power a n is the product of n factors, each of which is equal to a. Based on this definition, and also using properties of multiplication of real numbers, we can obtain and justify the following properties of degree with natural exponent:

    1. the main property of the degree a m ·a n =a m+n, its generalization;
    2. property of quotient powers with identical bases a m:a n =a m−n ;
    3. product power property (a·b) n =a n ·b n , its extension;
    4. property of a quotient in natural degree(a:b) n =a n:b n ;
    5. raising a degree to a power (a m) n =a m·n, its generalization (((a n 1) n 2) …) n k =a n 1 ·n 2 ·…·n k;
    6. comparison of degree with zero:
      • if a>0, then a n>0 for any natural number n;
      • if a=0, then a n =0;
      • if a<0 и показатель степени является четным числом 2·m , то a 2·m >0 if a<0 и показатель степени есть нечетное число 2·m−1 , то a 2·m−1 <0 ;
    7. if a and b are positive numbers and a
    8. if m and n are natural numbers such that m>n , then at 0 0 the inequality a m >a n is true.

    Let us immediately note that all written equalities are identical subject to the specified conditions, both their right and left parts can be swapped. For example, the main property of the fraction a m ·a n =a m+n with simplifying expressions often used in the form a m+n =a m ·a n .

    Now let's look at each of them in detail.

      Let's start with the property of the product of two powers with the same bases, which is called the main property of the degree: for any real number a and any natural numbers m and n, the equality a m ·a n =a m+n is true.

      Let us prove the main property of the degree. By the definition of a power with a natural exponent, the product of powers with the same bases of the form a m ·a n can be written as a product. Due to the properties of multiplication, the resulting expression can be written as , and this product is a power of the number a with a natural exponent m+n, that is, a m+n. This completes the proof.

      Let us give an example confirming the main property of the degree. Let's take degrees with the same bases 2 and natural powers 2 and 3, using the basic property of degrees we can write the equality 2 2 ·2 3 =2 2+3 =2 5. Let's check its validity by calculating the values ​​of the expressions 2 2 · 2 3 and 2 5 . Carrying out exponentiation, we have 2 2 ·2 3 =(2·2)·(2·2·2)=4·8=32 and 2 5 =2·2·2·2·2=32, since equal values ​​are obtained, then the equality 2 2 ·2 3 =2 5 is correct, and it confirms the main property of the degree.

      The basic property of a degree, based on the properties of multiplication, can be generalized to the product of three or more powers with the same bases and natural exponents. So for any number k of natural numbers n 1, n 2, …, n k the following equality is true: a n 1 ·a n 2 ·…·a n k =a n 1 +n 2 +…+n k.

      For example, (2,1) 3 ·(2,1) 3 ·(2,1) 4 ·(2,1) 7 = (2,1) 3+3+4+7 =(2,1) 17 .

      We can move on to the next property of powers with a natural exponent – property of quotient powers with the same bases: for any non-zero real number a and arbitrary natural numbers m and n satisfying the condition m>n, the equality a m:a n =a m−n is true.

      Before presenting the proof of this property, let us discuss the meaning of the additional conditions in the formulation. The condition a≠0 is necessary in order to avoid division by zero, since 0 n =0, and when we got acquainted with division, we agreed that we cannot divide by zero. The condition m>n is introduced so that we do not go beyond the natural exponents. Indeed, for m>n the exponent a m−n is a natural number, otherwise it will be either zero (which happens for m−n ) or a negative number (which happens for m

      Proof. The main property of a fraction allows us to write the equality a m−n ·a n =a (m−n)+n =a m. From the resulting equality a m−n ·a n =a m and it follows that a m−n is a quotient of the powers a m and a n . This proves the property of quotient powers with identical bases.

      Let's give an example. Let's take two degrees with the same bases π and natural exponents 5 and 2, the equality π 5:π 2 =π 5−3 =π 3 corresponds to the considered property of the degree.

      Now let's consider product power property: the natural power n of the product of any two real numbers a and b is equal to the product of the powers a n and b n , that is, (a·b) n =a n ·b n .

      Indeed, by the definition of a degree with a natural exponent we have . Based on the properties of multiplication, the last product can be rewritten as , which is equal to a n · b n .

      Here's an example: .

      This property extends to the power of the product of three or more factors. That is, the property of natural degree n of the product of k factors is written as (a 1 ·a 2 ·…·a k) n =a 1 n ·a 2 n ·…·a k n.

      For clarity, we will show this property with an example. For the product of three factors to the power of 7 we have .

      The following property is property of a quotient in kind: the quotient of real numbers a and b, b≠0 to the natural power n is equal to the quotient of powers a n and b n, that is, (a:b) n =a n:b n.

      The proof can be carried out using the previous property. So (a:b) n b n =((a:b) b) n =a n, and from the equality (a:b) n ·b n =a n it follows that (a:b) n is the quotient of a n divided by b n .

      Let's write this property using specific numbers as an example: .

      Now let's voice it property of raising a power to a power: for any real number a and any natural numbers m and n, the power of a m to the power of n is equal to the power of the number a with exponent m·n, that is, (a m) n =a m·n.

      For example, (5 2) 3 =5 2·3 =5 6.

      The proof of the power-to-degree property is the following chain of equalities: .

      The property considered can be extended to degree to degree to degree, etc. For example, for any natural numbers p, q, r and s, the equality . For greater clarity, here is an example with specific numbers: (((5,2) 3) 2) 5 =(5,2) 3+2+5 =(5,2) 10 .

      It remains to dwell on the properties of comparing degrees with a natural exponent.

      Let's start by proving the property of comparing zero and power with a natural exponent.

      First, let's prove that a n >0 for any a>0.

      The product of two positive numbers is a positive number, as follows from the definition of multiplication. This fact and the properties of multiplication suggest that the result of multiplying any number of positive numbers will also be a positive number. And the power of a number a with natural exponent n, by definition, is the product of n factors, each of which is equal to a. These arguments allow us to assert that for any positive base a, the degree a n is a positive number. Due to the proven property 3 5 >0, (0.00201) 2 >0 and .

      It is quite obvious that for any natural number n with a=0 the degree of a n is zero. Indeed, 0 n =0·0·…·0=0 . For example, 0 3 =0 and 0 762 =0.

      Let's move on to negative bases of degree.

      Let's start with the case when the exponent is an even number, let's denote it as 2·m, where m is a natural number. Then . For each of the products of the form a·a is equal to the product of the moduli of the numbers a and a, which means it is a positive number. Therefore, the product will also be positive and degree a 2·m. Let's give examples: (−6) 4 >0 , (−2,2) 12 >0 and .

      Finally, when the base a is a negative number and the exponent is an odd number 2 m−1, then . All products a·a are positive numbers, the product of these positive numbers is also positive, and its multiplication by the remaining negative number a results in a negative number. Due to this property (−5) 3<0 , (−0,003) 17 <0 и .

      Let's move on to the property of comparing powers with the same natural exponents, which has the following formulation: of two powers with the same natural exponents, n is less than the one whose base is smaller, and greater is the one whose base is larger. Let's prove it.

      Inequality a n properties of inequalities a provable inequality of the form a n is also true (2.2) 7 and .

      It remains to prove the last of the listed properties of powers with natural exponents. Let's formulate it. Of two powers with natural exponents and identical positive bases less than one, the one whose exponent is smaller is greater; and of two powers with natural exponents and identical bases greater than one, the one whose exponent is greater is greater. Let us proceed to the proof of this property.

      Let us prove that for m>n and 0 0 due to the initial condition m>n, which means that at 0

      It remains to prove the second part of the property. Let us prove that for m>n and a>1 a m >a n is true. The difference a m −a n after taking a n out of brackets takes the form a n ·(a m−n −1) . This product is positive, since for a>1 the degree a n is a positive number, and the difference a m−n −1 is a positive number, since m−n>0 due to the initial condition, and for a>1 the degree a m−n is greater than one . Consequently, a m −a n >0 and a m >a n , which is what needed to be proven. This property is illustrated by the inequality 3 7 >3 2.

    Properties of powers with integer exponents

    Since positive integers are natural numbers, then all the properties of powers with positive integer exponents coincide exactly with the properties of powers with natural exponents listed and proven in the previous paragraph.

    We defined a degree with an integer negative exponent, as well as a degree with a zero exponent, in such a way that all properties of degrees with natural exponents, expressed by equalities, remained valid. Therefore, all these properties are valid for both zero exponents and negative exponents, while, of course, the bases of the powers are different from zero.

    So, for any real and non-zero numbers a and b, as well as any integers m and n, the following are true: properties of powers with integer exponents:

    1. a m ·a n =a m+n ;
    2. a m:a n =a m−n ;
    3. (a·b) n =a n ·b n ;
    4. (a:b) n =a n:b n ;
    5. (a m) n =a m·n ;
    6. if n is a positive integer, a and b are positive numbers, and a b−n ;
    7. if m and n are integers, and m>n , then at 0 1 the inequality a m >a n holds.

    When a=0, the powers a m and a n make sense only when both m and n are positive integers, that is, natural numbers. Thus, the properties just written are also valid for the cases when a=0 and the numbers m and n are positive integers.

    Proving each of these properties is not difficult; to do this, it is enough to use the definitions of degrees with natural and integer exponents, as well as the properties of operations with real numbers. As an example, let us prove that the power-to-power property holds for both positive integers and non-positive integers. To do this, you need to show that if p is zero or a natural number and q is zero or a natural number, then the equalities (a p) q =a p·q, (a −p) q =a (−p)·q, (a p ) −q =a p·(−q) and (a −p) −q =a (−p)·(−q). Let's do it.

    For positive p and q, the equality (a p) q =a p·q was proven in the previous paragraph. If p=0, then we have (a 0) q =1 q =1 and a 0·q =a 0 =1, whence (a 0) q =a 0·q. Similarly, if q=0, then (a p) 0 =1 and a p·0 =a 0 =1, whence (a p) 0 =a p·0. If both p=0 and q=0, then (a 0) 0 =1 0 =1 and a 0·0 =a 0 =1, whence (a 0) 0 =a 0·0.

    Now we prove that (a −p) q =a (−p)·q . By definition of a power with a negative integer exponent, then . By the property of quotients to powers we have . Since 1 p =1·1·…·1=1 and , then . The last expression, by definition, is a power of the form a −(p·q), which, due to the rules of multiplication, can be written as a (−p)·q.

    Likewise .

    AND .

    Using the same principle, you can prove all other properties of a degree with an integer exponent, written in the form of equalities.

    In the penultimate of the recorded properties, it is worth dwelling on the proof of the inequality a −n >b −n, which is valid for any negative integer −n and any positive a and bfor which the condition a is satisfied . Since by condition a 0 . The product a n · b n is also positive as the product of positive numbers a n and b n . Then the resulting fraction is positive as the quotient of the positive numbers b n −a n and a n ·b n . Therefore, whence a −n >b −n , which is what needed to be proved.

    The last property of powers with integer exponents is proved in the same way as a similar property of powers with natural exponents.

    Properties of powers with rational exponents

    We defined a degree with a fractional exponent by extending the properties of a degree with an integer exponent to it. In other words, powers with fractional exponents have the same properties as powers with integer exponents. Namely:

    The proof of the properties of degrees with fractional exponents is based on the definition of a degree with a fractional exponent, and on the properties of a degree with an integer exponent. Let us provide evidence.

    By definition of a power with a fractional exponent and , then . The properties of the arithmetic root allow us to write the following equalities. Further, using the property of a degree with an integer exponent, we obtain , from which, by the definition of a degree with a fractional exponent, we have , and the indicator of the degree obtained can be transformed as follows: . This completes the proof.

    The second property of powers with fractional exponents is proved in an absolutely similar way:

    The remaining equalities are proved using similar principles:

    Let's move on to proving the next property. Let us prove that for any positive a and b, a b p . Let's write the rational number p as m/n, where m is an integer and n is a natural number. Conditions p<0 и p>0 in this case the conditions m<0 и m>0 accordingly. For m>0 and a

    Similarly, for m<0 имеем a m >b m , from where, that is, and a p >b p .

    It remains to prove the last of the listed properties. Let us prove that for rational numbers p and q, p>q at 0 0 – inequality a p >a q . We can always reduce rational numbers p and q to a common denominator, even if we get ordinary fractions and , where m 1 and m 2 are integers, and n is a natural number. In this case, the condition p>q will correspond to the condition m 1 >m 2, which follows from. Then, by the property of comparing powers with the same bases and natural exponents at 0 1 – inequality a m 1 >a m 2 . These inequalities in the properties of the roots can be rewritten accordingly as And . And the definition of a degree with a rational exponent allows us to move on to inequalities and, accordingly. From here we draw the final conclusion: for p>q and 0 0 – inequality a p >a q .

    Properties of powers with irrational exponents

    From the way a degree with an irrational exponent is defined, we can conclude that it has all the properties of degrees with rational exponents. So for any a>0 , b>0 and irrational numbers p and q are as follows properties of powers with irrational exponents:

    1. a p ·a q =a p+q ;
    2. a p:a q =a p−q ;
    3. (a·b) p =a p ·b p ;
    4. (a:b) p =a p:b p ;
    5. (a p) q =a p·q ;
    6. for any positive numbers a and b, a 0 the inequality a p b p ;
    7. for irrational numbers p and q, p>q at 0 0 – inequality a p >a q .

    From this we can conclude that powers with any real exponents p and q for a>0 have the same properties.

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