Introduction to Exponents


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am = 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

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