Is this a trick question?
-(1/3)^0 and (-8)^0
I just got asked this in a review work sheet and I'm wondering if there is something I may have skipped in my lessons? To the power of 0 doesn't just mean that the number stays the same? Help please! Thank you

Question

Is this a trick question? 
-(1/3)^0 and (-8)^0 
I just got asked this in a review work sheet and I'm wondering if there is something I may have skipped in my lessons? To the power of 0 doesn't just mean that the number stays the same? Help please! Thank you

nikato · Answer

no. any number to the power of 0 is 1

tkhunny · Answer

10^3 = 1000
10^2 = 100
10^1 = 10
10^0 = 10?  No.

anonymous · Answer

I feel stupid, yeah that's what I meant...not the same number. Like 7 times 0 = 0 and such

anonymous · Answer

but if that's the case then it is sort of a trick question then? The answer to both is just 0?

tkhunny · Answer

10^0 = 1 -- That is not zero.

anonymous · Answer

So it is different when it's to the power of rather than multiplication. That's what I wanted to know. Thank you.

tkhunny · Answer

We do try to make things consistent.  Try a few values around where you want to explore and imagine what "consistent" behavior might be.  That's all I did.

10^3 = 1000
10^2 = 100
10^1 = 10
10^0 = 1
10^(-1) = 1/10


10*3 = 30
10*2 = 20
10*1 = 10
10*0 = 0
10*(-1) = -10

They should all make sense at the same time.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much for your thorough explanation :)