Arithmetic/Exponents

< Arithmetic

This page is a stub for educational material on exponentiation of positive whole numbers aimed at students in grades K-8 (ages 5-13).

Introduction to and definition of exponents

Exponents involve repeated multiplication of the same number. When a number has a superscript (a number to the right-top of it) it may be an exponent if in a mathematical context. 2 with a superscript of 2 is otherwise known as 2 squared (or two to the second power), or 2 x 2 which would equal four. If it has 2 with a superscript of 3 it is 2 cubed or two to the third or 2x2x2=8, and so on...

If the exponent is 0 or 1 it does not have enough numbers to involve multiplication. A 1 superscript is the same as the number itself 2 to the one is still two. Two the zero power however (or any number for that matter) resolves to 1. Four to the 0th power resolves to 1 etc...

Example

3 (exponent 3)= 27

3 x 3 x 3=27

3 x 3 is 9. And then 9 x 3 equals 27.

This article is issued from Wikiversity - version of the Thursday, November 06, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.