Exponential Notation: 

is read as "b to the m" or "the mth power of b".   "b" is called the base. "m" is called the exponent or power.

One and Zero as Exponents:

Any nonzero number raised to the zero power is always a one.  Any number raised to one is always the number .

Example:

Simplify the following assuming all the variables are nonzero variables: