## ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning Operations on Exponents Practice Test 848021

 Questions 5 Focus Operations on Exponents Topics Adding & Subtracting Exponents, Exponent to a Power, Multiplying & Dividing Exponents, Negative Exponent Question Type Problems

#### Study Guide

###### Adding & Subtracting Exponents

To add or subtract terms with exponents, both the base and the exponent must be the same. If the base and the exponent are the same, add or subtract the coefficients and retain the base and exponent. For example, 3x2 + 2x2 = 5x2 and 3x2 - 2x2 = x2 but x2 + x4 and x4 - x2 cannot be combined.

###### Exponent to a Power

To raise a term with an exponent to another exponent, retain the base and multiply the exponents: (x2)3 = x(2x3) = x6

###### Multiplying & Dividing Exponents

To multiply terms with the same base, multiply the coefficients and add the exponents. To divide terms with the same base, divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents. For example, 3x2 x 2x2 = 6x4 and $${8x^5 \over 4x^2}$$ = 2x(5-2) = 2x3.

###### Negative Exponent

A negative exponent indicates the number of times that the base is divided by itself. To convert a negative exponent to a positive exponent, calculate the positive exponent then take the reciprocal: $$b^{-e} = { 1 \over b^e }$$. For example, $$3^{-2} = {1 \over 3^2} = {1 \over 9}$$