SAT Math · Study & Practice

Exponents

Exponent rules power the Advanced Math domain — exponential growth, polynomials and radicals all depend on them. This chapter covers the laws of exponents, negative exponents, rational (fractional) exponents and scientific notation. Read each topic, try the problems with the hint ladder, then take the 8-question topic test.

Topics

1 Laws of Exponents 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 2 Negative Exponents 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 3 Rational Exponents 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 4 Scientific Notation 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start →

Chapter test

📝 Exponents — Chapter Test

25 fresh questions · timed · full solutions

Start chapter test →

📊 My SAT analytics

Track scores, accuracy by topic and progress over time.

View analytics →

Formula Reference Sheet

This chapter

Laws of exponents

Product	xᵃ · xᵇ = xᵃ⁺ᵇ
Quotient	xᵃ / xᵇ = xᵃ⁻ᵇ
Power of a power	(xᵃ)ᵇ = xᵃᵇ
Zero power	x⁰ = 1 (x ≠ 0)

Negative, rational, scientific

Negative	x⁻ⁿ = 1/xⁿ
Rational	x^(m/n) = ⁿ√(xᵐ)
Scientific notation	a × 10ⁿ, with 1 ≤ a < 10

Digital SAT reference

Area & Circumference

Circle area	A = πr²
Circle circumference	C = 2πr
Rectangle	A = ℓw
Triangle	A = ½ b h

Volume

Rectangular box	V = ℓwh
Cylinder	V = πr²h
Sphere	V = 4⁄3 πr³
Cone	V = 1⁄3 πr²h
Pyramid	V = 1⁄3 ℓwh

Right triangles

Pythagorean theorem	a² + b² = c²
30°–60°–90°	sides x : x√3 : 2x
45°–45°–90°	sides s : s : s√2

Constants

Degrees in a circle	360°
Radians in a circle	2π
Angles of a triangle	sum = 180°