Writing Expressions Using Exponents

The exponent of a number tells us how many times the number is multiplied.

For example,

• a^m = a × a × a × a…m times.

• b⁴ = b × b × b × b.

• 5³ = 5 × 5 × 5.

The number a is known as base and m is said to be exponent and a^m is said to be the exponent form of the number.

Exponents are also called powers or indices.

We read a^m as a raised to the power m or just a to the power m.

Rewrite 6 × 6 × 6 × 6 × 6, using an exponent.

Solution

Step 1:

The number 6 appears five times in the multiplication.

Step 2:

So 6 × 6 × 6 × 6 × 6 = 6⁵

Step 3:

The expression 6⁵ has a base of 6 and an exponent of 5.

Rewrite 4 × 4 × 4, using an exponent.

Solution

Step 1:

The number 4 appears three times in the multiplication.

Step 2:

So 4 × 4 × 4 = 4³

Step 3:

The expression 4³ has a base of 4 and an exponent of 3.

Rewrite 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7, using an exponent.

Solution

Step 1:

The number 7 appears six times in the multiplication.

Step 2:

So 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 7⁶

Step 3:

The expression 7⁶ has a base of 7 and an exponent of 6.