Introduction to Exponents

a^m = a × a × a × a…m times.

The exponent of a number says how many times the number should be used in a multiplication. In above notation, 'm' is the exponent and the number (the base) is 'a' which is multiplied 'm' times

To evaluate an exponent,

• we write it in expanded form and multiply,

Example:

Evaluate 3⁴

Solution

3⁴ = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81.

Evaluate 2⁶

Solution

Step 1:

2⁶ means there are six 2s in the multiplication.

Step 2:

So 2⁶ = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 64

Evaluate 5⁴

Solution

Step 1:

5⁴ means there are four 5s in the multiplication.

Step 2:

So 5⁴ = 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 = 625

Evaluate 7³

Solution

Step 1:

7³ means there are three 7s in the multiplication

Step 2:

So 7³ = 7 × 7 × 7 = 343