New SAT Video Exponents

Math Basics – Exponents You are likely to see a few exponents on the SAT. In order to have a chance on the harder questions, you’ll have to first know your basics. Once you are consistent at doing well on these, you want have to worry about exponents. The thing, though, is it is very easy—especially during the stress of the actual exam—to make simple (and easily avoidable!) mistakes regarding exponents. So pay attention to the information below Adding exponents First try the following question: + + = , what is the value of ? If you are thinking—that’s easy, it’s 30—think again. When you have similar bases (that’s the number below the exponent—in this case 5), you can’t just add the exponents. The thing is you really can’t do anything, besides simplifying the above equation to (). Multiplying exponents Now try this question: x x = , what is the value of ? First, let me tell you the rule. When you multiply similar bases, in this case the number ‘5’, you ADD the exponents. So the answer above is n = 30. Here, try one more: = , what is the value of ? In this question, the answer is n = 9, since we want to add, not multiply, the exponents.