The method to divide power terms is similar to the multiplication law, however in this case we subtract the powers from one another, rather than add them. Let's look at an expanded example to see why this is the case.
If we wanted to simplify the expression $a^6\div a^2$a6÷a2, we could write it as:
We can see that there are six $a$as being divided by two $a$as to give a result of four $a$as, and notice that $4$4 is the difference of the powers in the original expression.
So, in our example above,
| $a^6\div a^2$a6÷a2 | $=$= | $a^{6-2}$a6−2 |
| $=$= | $a^4$a4 |
Let's look at another specific example. Say we wanted to find the value of $2^7\div2^3$27÷23. By evaluating each term in the quotient separately we would have
| $2^7\div2^3$27÷23 | $=$= | $128\div8$128÷8 |
| $=$= | $16$16 |
Alternatively, by first expanding the terms in the original expression we can arrive at a simplified version of the expression on our way to the final value.
| $2^7\div2^3$27÷23 | $=$= | $\left(2\times2\times2\times2\times2\times2\times2\right)\div\left(2\times2\times2\right)$(2×2×2×2×2×2×2)÷(2×2×2) |
| $=$= | $2^4$24 | |
| $=$= | $16$16 |
Notice in the second line we have identified that $2^7\div2^3=2^4$27÷23=24.
The exponent law of division
We can avoid having to write each expression in expanded form by using the division law (which is also known as the quotient law).
$\frac{a^m}{a^n}=a^{m-n}$aman=am−n, where $a$a is any number,
That is, when dividing terms with a common base:
- Keep the same base
- Find the difference in the power.
Of course, we can also write the division law in the form $a^m\div a^n=a^{m-n}$am÷an=am−n.
Dividing terms with common bases
As with using the multiplication (or product) law, we can only apply the division (or quotient) law to terms with the same bases (just like we can only add and subtract like terms in algebra). We can simplify $\frac{9^8}{9^3}$9893 because the numerator and denominator have the same base: $9$9.
We cannot simplify $\frac{8^5}{7^3}$8573 because the two terms do not have the same base (one has a base of $8$8 and the other has a base of $7$7).
Worked example
Simplify the following by first writing it in expanded form: $\frac{3^7}{3^2}$3732.
Think: We want to first write the expression in expanded form, so that we can then cancel out common factors from the numerator and denominator.
Do:
| $\frac{3^7}{3^2}$3732 | $=$= | $\frac{3\times3\times3\times3\times3\times3\times3}{3\times3}$3×3×3×3×3×3×33×3 |
| $=$= | $\frac{3\times3\times3\times3\times3}{1}$3×3×3×3×31 | |
| $=$= | $3^5$35 |
Reflect: We can see that the answer matches what we would expect if we used the division law. That is, $\frac{3^7}{3^2}=3^{7-2}$3732=37−2 giving us the final answer of $3^5$35.
Dividing other terms
We can also simplify expressions involving multiplication as well, such as $\frac{4\times3^6}{2\times3^4}$4×362×34. We follow the same steps as when we are multiplying expressions. That is, we can treat the problem in two parts. Let's take a look at an example.
Worked example
Simplify $\left(8\times5^9\right)\div\left(2\times5^4\right)$(8×59)÷(2×54) using exponent laws.
Think: First, let's write the expression as a fraction. To make the simplifications easier, we can then split the fraction up into two fractions using the fact $\frac{a\times b}{c\times d}=\frac{a}{c}\times\frac{b}{d}$a×bc×d=ac×bd.
Do:
| $\left(8\times5^9\right)\div\left(2\times5^4\right)$(8×59)÷(2×54) | $=$= | $\frac{8\times5^9}{2\times5^4}$8×592×54 |
| $=$= | $\frac{8}{2}\times\frac{5^9}{5^4}$82×5954 | |
| $=$= | $4\times\frac{5^9}{5^4}$4×5954 | |
| $=$= | $4\times5^5$4×55 | |
| $=$= | $4\times5^5$4×55 |
Reflect: Combining the steps, we get $\left(8\times5^9\right)\div\left(2\times5^4\right)=4\times5^5$(8×59)÷(2×54)=4×55 and as this process becomes more familiar we can reduce the amount of intermediate steps we take to arrive at the solution.
Practice questions
Question 1
Convert the following to fraction form and evaluate using exponent laws: $4^8\div4^5$48÷45.
Question 2
Simplify the following, giving your answer in exponential form: $\frac{\left(-7\right)^{11}}{\left(-7\right)^5}$(−7)11(−7)5.
Question 3
Evaluate the following using exponent laws: $5\times\frac{4^5}{4^3}$5×4543.