Monomials

Multiplying Monomials and Raising

Monomials to Powers
 Vocabulary
• Monomials - a number, a variable, or a product of a
number and one or more variables
• 4x, 20x2yw3, -3, a2b3, and 3yz are all monomials.
• Constant – a monomial that is a number without a
variable.
• Base – In an expression of the form xn, the base is x.
• Exponent – In an expression of the form xn, the
exponent is n.
 Writing - Using Exponents
Rewrite the following expressions using exponents:

x x x x y y
The variables, x and y, represent the bases. The
number of times each base is multiplied by itself will
be the value of the exponent.

4 2
x x x x y y x y
 Writing Expressions without
Exponents
Write out each expression without exponents (as
multiplication):

3 2
8a b  8 a  a  a b  b
xy  4
 xy  xy  xy  xy
or

x x x xy y yy

 Product of Powers
Simplify the following expression: (5a2)(a5)

There are two monomials. Underline them.

What operation is between the two monomials?

Multiplication!
Step 1: Write out the expressions in expanded form.

5a a  5 a  a  a a  a  a a
2 5

Step 2: Rewrite using exponents.

5a a  5 a
2 5 7
 5a
7
 Product of Powers Rule
For any number a, and all integers m and n,

am • an = am+n.
9 4 13
1) a  a  a
2 10 12
2) w  w  w
5 6
3) r  r  r
4) k k   k
5 3 8

2 2 2 2
5) x  y  x y
 Multiplying Monomials
If the monomials have coefficients, multiply
those, but still add the powers.

1) 4a 2a   8a
9 4 13

2) 7w 10w   70w

2 10 12

3)  2r3r
  6r
5 6

4) 3k 7k   21k

5 3 8

5) 12x 2y   24x

2 2 2 2
y
 Multiplying Monomials
These monomials have a mixture of
different variables. Only add powers of like
variables.
1) 4a b 2a b  8a b
9 3 4 13 4

2) 7w y 10w y  70w y

2 5 10 2 12 7

3) 2rt 3r   6r 6t 3

3 5

4) 3k mn 7k m n  21k m n

5 4 3 3 3 8 4 7

5) 12x y 2xy   24x y

2 3 2 3 5
 Power of Powers
Simplify the following: ( x3 ) 4

The monomial is the term inside the parentheses.

Step 1: Write out the expression in expanded form.

x 
3 4 3 3
 x x x  x
3 3

 x xx x x x x x x x x x
Step 2: Simplify, writing as a power.

x 
3 4
x
12

Note: 3 x 4 = 12.
 Power of Powers Rule

 
n
m
For any number, a, and all integers m and n, a  a mn .

1) b 
9 10
 b 90

2) c 
3 3
c 9

3) w 
12 2
 w 24
 Monomials to Powers
If the monomial inside the parentheses has a
coefficient, raise the coefficient to the power, but
still multiply the variable powers.

1) 2b 
9 3
8b 27

2) 5c 
3 3
 125c 9

3) 7w 
12 2
 49w24
 Monomials to Powers
(Power of a Product)
If the monomial inside the parentheses has more
than one variable, raise each variable to the outside
power using the power of a power rule.

(ab)m = am•bm

5w xy 
3 2 4
 5 w
4
 x  y 
3 4 4 2 4

34 4 24
 625 w x y
12 4 8
 625w x y
 Monomials to Powers
(Power of a Product)
Simplify each expression:

1) 2b c 
9 4 3
 8b27 c12

2) 5a c   125a
5 3 3 15 9
c

3) 7w y z  49w y z
12 4 2 24 8 2
What about dividing monomials?
1. Be able to divide polynomials
2. Be able to simplify expressions involving powers of
monomials by applying the division properties of powers.

3 3 5 8 2 2
4x y  3 xy 2
 36a b ab
  
2 xy  yx
3
 ab 6
 3x 3
Simplify: 2
x
Step 1: Rewrite the expression in expanded form
3x 3 3  x  x  x
2

x x x
Step 2: Simplify. For all real numbers a, and integers
m and n:
3 x  x  x
 3x 32  3 x am
xx  a mn

Remember: A number divided by itself is 1. an

 2
 3x 
Simplify:  
 y
Step 1: Write the exponent in expanded form.
2
 3x  3x 3x For all real numbers a and b, and
   
 y y y integer m:

Step 2: Multiply and m m

simplify. a a
   m
2 2 2
3x 3x 3x  3x 3 x 9x
   2  2
y y y y y y b b
 2 3
3 6
 4  3x 
4
   2 
33  x x y
3
63 42  3x 4 2 
3   Apply quotient of powers
x2  y 

3 3 16  
33 x 2
3
Apply power of a quotient
x2 y3
Apply quotient of
powers. Apply power of 33 x 23 Apply power of a power
a quotient. y3
27 x 6 Simplify
y3
 THINK!
3 x3-3 = x0 = 1
 2a b 
2
8a 6b 3
1.     8a 3 b 3
 a  a3

2
 4x y
3 3
  2  4 x3 y3   4  16 x 3 y 3
2.           2 2  
 2 xy   xy   2 xy   x y  2x3 y3

8