Example

Simplifying (5b)0(5b)^0, (−4a2b)0(-4a^2b)^0, and (−11pq3)0(-11pq^3)^0 Using the Zero Exponent

Apply the Zero Exponent rule to simplify expressions whose bases are monomials.

ⓐ (5b)0=1(5b)^0 = 1: Because 5b5b is nonzero (assuming b≠0b \neq 0), the Zero Exponent rule applies directly to the entire enclosed product: (5b)0=1(5b)^0 = 1.

ⓑ (−4a2b)0=1(-4a^2b)^0 = 1: The base −4a2b-4a^2b includes a negative coefficient and multiple variables. We can simplify this by first applying the Product to a Power Property, (ab)m=ambm(ab)^m = a^m b^m, to distribute the zero exponent: (−4)0(a2)0(b)0(-4)^0(a^2)^0(b)^0. Then apply the Zero Exponent rule to each factor: 1⋅1⋅1=11 \cdot 1 \cdot 1 = 1. Alternatively, treating the entire expression as a single nonzero base gives 11 directly.

ⓒ (−11pq3)0=1(-11pq^3)^0 = 1: Similarly, the base is −11pq3-11pq^3. Applying the Product to a Power Property yields (−11)0(p)0(q3)0=1⋅1⋅1=1(-11)^0(p)^0(q^3)^0 = 1 \cdot 1 \cdot 1 = 1.

These examples reinforce that raising any nonzero expression to the zero power always produces 11, which can be shown either directly or by distributing the exponent.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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