- Exponents: Introduction to exponents
The exponent of a number says how many times to use the number in a multiplication.
In 82 the "2" says to use 8 twice in a multiplication,
so 82 = 8 × 8 = 64
In words: 82 could be called "8 to the power 2" or "8 to the second power", or simply "8 squared"
In 82 the "2" says to use 8 twice in a multiplication,
so 82 = 8 × 8 = 64
In words: 82 could be called "8 to the power 2" or "8 to the second power", or simply "8 squared"
Exponents are also called Powers or Indices.
Example: 53 = 5 × 5 × 5 = 125
Example: 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16
- In words: 53 could be called "5 to the third power", "5 to the power 3" or simply "5 cubed"
Example: 24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16
- In words: 24 could be called "2 to the fourth power" or "2 to the power 4" or simply "2 to the 4th"
You can multiply any number by itself as many times as you want using exponents.
In General
So in general:
an tells you to multiply a by itself,
so there are n of those a's:
Other Way of Writing It
Sometimes people use the ^ symbol (above the 6 on your keyboard), as it is easy to type.
Example: 2^4 is the same as 24
So in general:
an tells you to multiply a by itself,
so there are n of those a's:
Other Way of Writing It
Sometimes people use the ^ symbol (above the 6 on your keyboard), as it is easy to type.
Example: 2^4 is the same as 24
- 2^4 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16
