Subject: Zero as an Exponent
Name: Don
Who are you: Other

Any real number (except zero) to the zero power equals 1 correct?
Question: If for example x to the zero power equals 1
What is -x to the zero power equal to?
What is -(x) to the zero power equal to?

Thanks.

Don

Hi Don,

As you said, as long at t is not zero, t⁰ = 1. Thus if t = -x then (-x)⁰ = 1.

When evaluating an arithmetic expression the convention is to evaluate exponentiation before addition of subtraction and hence

-x⁰ = -(x⁰) = -(1) = -1

Penny