Study Guide
Dividing Monomials

 

  Rule Example

Quotient of Powers

When you divide monomials, you use the following rules for all numbers a and b and any integers m, n, and p.

am
an
  = am − n

q9 ÷ q4 = q9 − 4
               = q5

Zero Exponent

For any nonzero number a, a0 = 1

40 = 1
60 = 1

Negative Exponents

For any nonzero numbers a and any integer n,

 a−n =
1
an
  

r3 ÷ r6 = r−3

 

 

Directions: Simplify. Assume that no demoninator is equal to zero.

a

b5

y

a ÷ 3

s−1 t−2

a3 y

k−7

36a−2 b−6

−3w2x5y2

1

3x3

x−1

9s3 u−11

16x2 b3

4m10 n12

−2m5 n12

54x3

−96x5

12n12 y10

−243a15 n8