eli5: why is x⁰ = 1 instead of non-existent?

1.23K views

It kinda doesn’t make sense.
x¹= x

x² = x*x

x³= x*x*x

etc…

and even with negative numbers you’re still multiplying the number by itself

like (x)-² = 1/x² = 1/(x*x)

In: 1797

38 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Eli5: Rule of dividing exponents. X^m / X^n = X^m-n.

So X^a / X^a = X^a-a = X^0

Any number divided by itself equals 1, therefore X^a / X^a = 1

Transitive X^0 = 1

You are viewing 1 out of 38 answers, click here to view all answers.