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Mathematics
Quarter 2 – Module 3: Zero and Negative
Integral Exponents
Mathematics – Grade 9
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 3: Applies the laws involving positive integral exponents to zero
and negative integral exponents
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education, SDO Cabanatuan City

Schools Division Superintendent: Teresa D. Mababa, CESO V
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Enrique E. Angeles Jr., CESO VI

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Ronilo J. Badua
Editor: Mofel P. Panahon, Ph.D.
Ubaldo A. Soriano, Jr.
Elmer D. Puyat
Jerwin S. Tanghal
Shalee S. San Pedro
Naomi L. Caparas
Reviewer: SDO Cabanatuan City
Illustrator: Ronilo J. Badua
Layout Artist: Ronilo J. Badua
Management Team: Priscilla D. Sanchez, PhD.- CID Chief
Sonny P. De leon, Ph.D - EPSvr in Mathematics
Ever M. Samson, Ph.D – EPSvr in LRMS

Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education – Region III –

Schools Division of Cabanatuan City

Office Address:Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written for the learners. After going through
this module, the learner is expected to:
1. apply the laws involving positive integral exponents to zero and
negative integral exponents.(M9AL-IId-1)

What I Know

A. Directions: Simplify the following expressions and choose the letter

of the correct answer. Please answer all items. Take note of the items
that you were not able to answer correctly and find the right answer as
you go through this module. Write your answers in a separate sheet of
paper.
1 1
1. 2-3 a. 8 b. -8 c. d.
23 8

1 1 −1
2. a. 4 b. -4 c. d.
2−2 4 4
3. (-2 )0 a. 0 b. 1 c. -2 d. 2

𝟑
4. 20 + 2-1 a. 4 b. 2 c. d. 3
𝟐

𝟐 𝟏
5. 2𝐱 −𝟐 a. 2 b. x2 c. d.
𝐗𝟐 𝟐𝐱𝟐

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Lesson
Zero and Negative
1 Exponents
In this lesson, you are given a chance to use your previous understanding
and skills on laws of exponent. These knowledge and skills may help you
understand zero and negative integral exponents.

What’s In
Before going on to this lesson, let us have a review on what you have learned
about laws of exponent.
Activity 1. Let’s Recall
Directions: Using an arrow, match each of the problems in Column A to its
corresponding answer in Column B. Copy and answer on a separate sheet of
paper.

Column A Column B
Column A
3 )( 2 )
(3 3 33−2 = 31 = 3

33 33·2 = 36 = 729
32

(32 )³ 33−3 = 30

33 33+2 = 35 = 243
33

32 32−3 = 3−1
33

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 What’s New
Let us investigate the following examples. Assume that h ≠ 0, x ≠ 0

Example 1 Example 2
ℎ5 𝑋3
= h5-5 = X3-3
ℎ5 𝑋3
= h0
= X0
= 1
=1

Example Example 4
72 104
= 72-2 = 104−4
72 104
= 70 = 100
= 1 =1

Questions:

1. What did you observe about the exponents of problems 1 to 4?

2. How were the problems solved?
3. What can you conclude from the process of solving the given
problems?
Let us continue to investigate problems 5 to10.

Example 5 Example 6
1 1
5−2 = 2 2−3 = 3
5 2

1 1
= =
25 8

Example 7 Example 8
1 1 1 1
( 3 )-2 = 1 2 6−2
= 1
( ) ( 2)
3 6
1 1
= 1
= 1
36
9 = 1∙
36
9 1
= 1∙1
3 = 36
=9
 Example 9
Example 10
2 1
2x −3 = (2x)-3 =
x3 (2x)
3

1
=
8x3

Questions:

1. What did you observe about the exponents of problems 5 to 10?

2. How were the problems solved?
3. What can you conclude from the process of solving the given
problems?

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 What is It

Presentation of the lesson

Let us consolidate below the results of the previous examples.

Definition of a0
am
From Grade 7, we know that = am-n , if a ≠ 0, m > n. Suppose
an
we want this law to hold even when m = n.
am
Then = am-m = a0 , a ≠ 0.
am
am
But we also know that m = 1. Thus, we define a0 = 1, a ≠ 0.
a
Take note: Any number, except zero, divided by its self is equal to 1.
Examples:
Use the above definition to simplify each expression.
1. 170 = 1 Any nonzero real number whose exponent is
0 is equal to 1
2. 6x0 = 6(1) = 6 In 6x0, the exponent 0 applies only to x.

3. (a3b2)0 = (a3(0) )(𝑏2(0)) By distributive property.

= (1)(1) = 1
4. –3y0 = -3(y0) In -3y0, the exponent 0 applies only to y.
= -3(1) = -3

5. (804 𝑝3 𝑞 )0 = 1 The exponent 0 applies to all the terms

inside the parentheses.

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 Definition of 𝐚−𝐧 , n > 0

am
From Grade 7 , we know that = am−n if a ≠ 0 , m> n . Suppose we
an
a0
want this law to hold even when m < n. Then = a0−n = a−n But we
an
a0 1 𝟏
also know that n = n . Thus, we define 𝐚−𝐧 = 𝐧 , a≠0.
a a 𝐚
Take note: Any nonzero quantity with a negative exponent is equal to the
multiplicative inverse or reciprocal of that quantity with the corresponding
positive exponent.

Examples:

Simplify the following expressions.

(Note: To simplify means to write the expression with positive exponents)

1
1. y-5 = Get the reciprocal so that the
y5
exponent becomes positive.

1 1
2. 4-2 = 2 ═ Get the reciprocal and simplify.
4 16
1
3. (-3)-3 = Get the reciprocal and simplify.
−33
1
=
(−3)(−3)(−3)
−1
=
27
3
2 1 1 1 Get the reciprocal to have a positive
4.     
3 2
3
 2  2  2  8 exponent, simplify then divide.
     
3  3  3  3  27
To divide fractions, get the
8 27 27
1 1  reciprocal and proceed to
27 8 8 multiplication.
1 2 The exponent –3 applies only to the
5. 2x-3 = 2  3
 3
x x variable x, and not to the
coefficient 2.

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Caution: The expressions 4w-2 and (4w)-2 are not the same. Do you see why?
1 4
6. 4w-2 = 4  2  2
w w
1 1 1
7. (4w)-2 = 2
 
(4w) (4w)(4w) 16 w 2
10
8. 10x-5 ═ 5 The exponent -5 applies only to variable
𝑥
x, then, follow the negative exponent
rule.
1
9. (2y)-4 ═ The exponent -4 applies to all the terms
16𝑦4
inside the parenthesis, then, follow the

negative exponent rule.

Suppose that a variable with a negative exponent appears in the

denominator of an expression.

1 1
10. 2
 Get the reciprocal of the denominator.
a 1
The negative exponent in the denominator
a2 becomes positive.
a2
= 1  a2 1
1 To divide, get the reciprocal of and
a2
multiply.

What’s More

Enrichment Activity 1. Simplify the following expressions.

1. -3m-2 np-4
𝑎 −3
2. −5
𝑐
3. 1
x −4
4. (−15)0 + 𝑥 0 +2
5. 25 · 2−3

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Enrichment Activity 2. I’ll Get My Reward!

You can get the treasures of the chest if you will be able to rewrite all
expressions correctly without using zero or negative integral exponent.

Figure 1: https://images.app.goo.gl/XiSi7pjfVuqckbBT7

2 0
1. (𝑥)

2. −2𝑎−2 𝑏𝑐 −3

3. 2(300 𝑘 2 𝑠)0

4. 𝑎−3 𝑏 11
𝑐 −5
5. 8𝑥 2 𝑦 0 𝑧 −2

Questions:

1. Did you get the treasures? How does it feel?

2. How did you simplify the given expressions?
3. What are the concepts or processes to remember in simplifying
expressions without zero and negative integral exponent?

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 What I Have Learned

To know how much you have learned on the concepts of Zero and Negative
exponents, answer the following items below.

A. Directions: Supply the missing information to complete the given

sentences below:

1. Any number, raised to zero is equal to .

2. Any quantity with a exponent is equal to the reciprocal of
that quantity with the corresponding positive exponent.
am
3. We know that = am−n if a ≠ 0, m> n. Suppose we want this
an
a0
law to hold even when m < n. Then = a0−n = a−n .
an
a0 1
But we also know that n = n . Thus, we define a−n = , a≠0
a a
am
4. We know that n = am-n , if a ≠ 0, m > n. Suppose
a
we want this law to hold even when m = n.
am am
Then = am-m = , a ≠ 0. But we also know that = 1. Thus,
am am
we define a0 = 1, a ≠ 0.

5. In 6x0, the exponent 0 applies only to x. Agree or disagree?

B. Identifying Common Errors.

Directions: Below are incorrect expressions. Identify and explain what
makes these expressions incorrect.

1. 3−2 = -32
1
2. 4X-3 = 3
x
32
3. =0
3−2

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 What I Can Do

Play with the Negative!

Directions: Apply your understanding of exponents in solving the problems

below.

1. A grain of rice has a volume of 20-9 m3. A box full of rice has a
volume of 20-3 m3. How many grains of rice are there in a box?

2. A very young caterpillar may weigh only 12-2 grams. It is

possible for it to grow 124 times its body weight during its life
cycle. How many grams can it reach during its life cycle?

3. A seed on a dandelion flower weighs 15-3 grams. A dandelion

itself can weigh up to 153 grams. How many times heavier is a
dandelion than its seeds?

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 Assessment

A. Directions: Simplify the following expressions and choose the letter that
corresponds to the correct answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet
of paper.
1 0 1
1. ( ) a. 0 b. 1 c. x d.
𝑥 x
2. (804 𝑝3 𝑞)0 a. 0 b. 1 c. 80 d. pq
1
3. (3𝑥𝑦 2 )-2 a. 34 b. 3𝑥 2 𝑦 2 c. −9x 2 y 4 d.
9𝑥 2𝑦 4

1 −3 1
4. (4𝑚) a. 64m3 b. c. 4m3 d. 12m3
64m3

5. (𝑎 − 𝑏)4 (𝑎 − 𝑏)-2 a. a-b b. (𝑎 − 𝑏)6 c. (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 d. (𝑎 − 𝑏)8

b2
B. Directions: Maricel and Lovemyn were asked to simplify . Their
b−5
solution and explanation are shown below. Who do you think is right?
Justify your answer.

Maricel Lovemyn

b2 b2 b5 b2
= 1 = b2 · = b7 = b 2−(−5) = b2+5 = b7
b−5 1 b−5
b5

Maricel used the concept of Lovemyn used the law of exponent .

negative exponent then followed
the rule of dividing fractions.

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 Additional Activities

Hi there ! I am the MATH

I Challenge You! WIZARD. I came here to
challenge you. Simplify the
following expressions. If you
do these correctly, I will have
you as my apprentice. Good
luck!

Figure 2: https://images.app.goo.gl/s5jeanprBTEH633A9

(3−4 + 5−3 )-1

5
6𝑒 0 + (11𝑓)0 -
𝑔0

5(2𝑎−1 𝑏 3 )
10𝑐 −5 𝑑 6 𝑒 −8

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 13
What I Can Do:
1. There are 64,000,000 grains of rice in the box.
2. A larvae can reach 144 grams during its life
cycle.
3. The dandelion is 156 heavier than its seed.
Assessment
A.
1. B
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. C
B.
Maricel and Lovemyn are both correct in
simplifying the given expression because they
both followed mathematical properties. That is
why they arrived at the same correct answer.
Additional Activities
10,125
206
2
b3 c5 e8
ad6
What's More
What I Know Identify the common
Enrichment Activity 2
error
1. D
1. 1
2. A 1.By applying the
−2b
3. B 2. 2 3 negative exponent rule,
a c 1
4. C
3. 2 The answer must be
5. C 9
What's More bc5
4. 2. The negative exponent
Enrichment activity 1 a3
−3n 8𝑥 2 3 applies only to x.
1. 5.
m2 p4 𝑧2 4
c5
Answer must be
𝑥3
2. What I Have Learned
a3
3. x 4 3. By applying the
1. 1
4. 4 2. Negative quotient law of
5. 4 1 exponent, the answer
3.
an must be 81
0
4. a
5. Agree
Answer Key
References
Books:
Department of Education Mathematics 9 Learner’s Material
Department of Education, Bureau of Secondary Education, PROJECT EASE
(Effective Alternative Secondary Education) Mathematics II
Ivy F. Zara, Priscilla D. Sanchez. RBEC BASED. 2007. Worktext in
Intermediate Algebra 2nd Year: EFERZA Academic Publication
Websites:
https://images.app.goo.gl/XiSi7pjfVuqckbBT7
https://images.app.goo.gl/s5jeanprBTEH633A9

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