A quick end-of-class check. Two tickets print on each page; cut along the dashed line. The answer key prints on its own page after it.

Exit Ticket: Exponent Rules with Variables

Grade 8 · CCSS 8.EE.A.1

Name

1. Simplify. a³ · a⁵ ÷ a²

2. Simplify. Use a positive exponent. (y²)⁻³

3. Why can't x² · y³ be written as a single power?

Answer Key: Exit Ticket

Exponent Rules with Variables

a^(3+5−2) → a⁶
y^(2·−3) = y⁻⁶ → 1/y⁶
The rules only combine powers with the same base. x and y are different bases, so the exponents can't be added.

Quick read: a¹³ or a¹⁵ on #1 means the student multiplied the exponents; y⁻¹ or y⁵ on #2 means they added in a power of a power.