# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What Is the Zero Exponent Rule?

The zero exponent rule is one of the rules that will help you simplify exponents. Let's first define some terms as they relate to exponents. When you have a number or variable raised to a power, the number (or variable) is called the base, while the superscript number is called the exponent, or power.

Usually, you'll see this written with the base being a normal-size number (or letter, if you're working with a variable). The exponent will be in a slightly smaller font, raised a little up above and to the right of the base. However, in some formats, like this one, you'll see the base, a mark called a caret that looks like an inverted V, and then the exponent. So if you have a base of 2 and an exponent of 3, we'll write that out here as 2^3 = 8.

Now that you know the terms, let's go back to the zero exponent rule. The zero exponent rule basically says that any base with an exponent of zero is equal to one. For example:

x^0 = 1

5^0 = 1

3^0 * a^0 = 1

7m^0 = 7 * 1 = 7. The 7 is its own term, and in this problem, it's being multiplied by the second term (m^0). That's why the entire expression is not equal to 1. The only portion that will be equal to 1 is the portion with the exponent of 0.

How the Rule Works

There is a solid mathematical reason for why this works. It's not just some arbitrary rule that mathematicians made up to keep algebra students confused. In order to explain the zero exponent rule, we need to back up a bit and talk about the rule for dividing exponents.

When you are dividing exponents, you subtract the exponents in the denominator from the exponents in the numerator. As with other operations, the base must be the same before you can combine exponents. For example, y^5 / y^3 = y^2 because 5 - 3 = 2.

How does this relate to the zero rule? Well, if you have a division problem that looks like this - y^3 / y^3 - and you use the division rule, you get y^0 because 3 - 3 = 0. We also know from simple mathematics that anything divided by itself is one:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
definition & examples - video & lesson transcript | study.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Zero Exponent: Rule, Definition & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The zero exponent rule is one of the rules that will help you simplify exponents. Let's first define some terms as they relate to exponents. When you have a number or variable raised to a power, the number (or variable) is called the base, while the superscript number is called the exponent, or power.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Now that we have reviewed the rules for exponents, here are the steps required for simplifying exponential expressions (notice that we apply the rules in the same order the rule were written above):

# data[].attributes.headline
What are negative exponents?! Watch this!

# data[].attributes.subject
What are negative exponents?! Watch this!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Multiplying Negative Exponents Using the Negative Exponent Rule!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Introduction to Exponents | #aumsum #kids #science #education #children

# data[].attributes.body
Sort the labels from largest to lowest.