law of exponents

law of exponents

[′lȯ əv ik′spō·nəns] (mathematics) Any of the laws a m a n = a m + n , a m / a n = a m-n , (a m ) n = a mn , (ab) n = a n b n , (a / b) n = a n / b n ; these laws are valid when m and n are any integers, or when a and b are positive and m and n are any real numbers. Also known as exponential law.