Grade 8 Exponents Quiz 2 draws its questions at random from 35 questions across these topics:
A few of the question types, with full solutions, so you know what to expect.
Coefficients. What is the coefficient in \(7x^3\)?
Answer: \(7\)
The coefficient is the number written in front of the variable.
In \(7x^3\): coefficient 7, base \(x\), exponent 3.
Tip: The exponent belongs to the \(x\) only. It never touches the 7.
Coefficients. What is the coefficient in \(-4a^2\)?
Answer: \(-4\)
The minus sign belongs to the coefficient.
Tip: Always carry the sign with the number. Dropping it is the most common slip in this topic.
Coefficients. What is the coefficient in \(y^5\)?
Answer: \(1\)
When no number is written, the coefficient is an invisible 1.
\(y^5 = 1y^5\)
Tip: Writing the 1 in lightly saves marks once you start collecting like terms.
Coefficients. What is the coefficient in \(-m^4\)?
Answer: \(-1\)
A lone minus sign means a coefficient of \(-1\).
\(-m^4 = -1m^4\)
Tip: Not \(-4\) - the 4 is the exponent, not the coefficient.
Multiplying terms. Simplify \(x^4 \times x^5\).
Answer: \(x^9\)
Same base and we are multiplying, so add the exponents.
\(4 + 5 = 9\)
Tip: \(x^{20}\) comes from multiplying the exponents - that is the power-of-a-power rule.