SOLUTION: why does (x+y)^0 equal 1? isn't 1+1?

Question 752368: why does (x+y)^0 equal 1? isn't 1+1?
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, josgarithmetic:
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
why does (x+y)^0 equal 1? isn't 1+1?
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Answer:
x/x = 1 as long as x is not zero
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x^1/x^1 = x^(1-1) = x^0
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Therefore x/x = 1 = x^0
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Now "x" can be anything.
It could be "(x+y}"
So (x+y)/(x+y) = 1 = (x+y)^0
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Note: (x+y) cannot be zero.
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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Answer by josgarithmetic(39620) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
LOOK at the pattern to any number raised to integers above and below zero including zero. When you see the rules of exponents, you understand , , , .

What does mean? It means .

What would be ?
How about ?
Let' keep going.
What is ?

One important rule about exponents is like this:
If m and n are integers, then .
You will plainly know that if m=n, then .
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