# Simple math question. .

1. Dec 5, 2003

### Bailey

simple math question. plz help.

i feel kinda stupid asking this question, but what is zero to the power of zero equal to? Is it equal to zero, or one, or infinity?
or the answer will varies depending on the function since it is an indermindate power?

When i use my sci. calculator, it say error.
but, when i use a math program it say 1. And its b/c of this that i'm confuse.

2. Dec 5, 2003

3. Dec 5, 2003

### Bailey

so....i suppose mathematician favor(or assume) the answer to be 1?
btw, thanx for the link wubie.

4. Dec 5, 2003

### wubie

mmmm.... I'm not so sure myself. To quote part of the article:

But is seems that there are many arguments which support 00 to be equal to one.

Hope that it helped.

Cheers.

5. Dec 5, 2003

### jcsd

This is not the first time it's come up, but this illustrates some of the problems with defining $0^0$ as $1$:

$$x^{n-1} = \frac{x^n}{x}$$

$$x^1 = x$$

$$0^0 = \frac{0}{0}$$

$\frac{0}{0}$ is indetrimnate, so to define $0^0$ as $1$ requires the (seemingly) arbitary breaking of some of the rules of algebra.

8. Dec 5, 2003

### NateTG

That's not entirely correct. $0^0=1$ is also 1 if it's the base, and not the exponent that's changing.