Introduction to Exponents
Understand and apply basic exponent notation
Introduction to Exponents
An exponent shows how many times a number is multiplied by itself. In 3², the 2 is the exponent and 3 is the base. 3² means 3 × 3 = 9. We say 'three squared' or 'three to the power of two'.
Example
Writing and Calculating Exponents
2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8 (two cubed)
5² = 5 × 5 = 25 (five squared)
10³ = 10 × 10 × 10 = 1 000
2⁴ = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16
4 × 4 × 4 written in exponent form = 4³
Squares and Cubes
Squared (²) relates to the area of a square: a square with side 5 has area 5² = 25.
Cubed (³) relates to the volume of a cube: a cube with side 3 has volume 3³ = 27.
Note
Remember
The exponent tells you HOW MANY TIMES to multiply, not what to multiply by. 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8 (not 2 × 3 = 6). Any number to the power of 1 equals itself: 7¹ = 7.
Key Vocabulary
ExponentThe small number that shows how many times to multiply
BaseThe number being multiplied by itself
SquaredMultiplied by itself once (power of 2)
CubedMultiplied by itself twice (power of 3)
PowerAnother word for exponent
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