Powers and Exponents ...............

Throughout these pages, we will use the proper terminology for powers and exponents. Don't be confused by the word 'power' ... here's what we mean:
2⁵ is a power. The number 5 is the exponent. It is common to see the word 'power' used in place of 'exponent', but we will be using the more precise terms here.
ie: when we use the word 'power' we will be referring to a question like this: 2³

O.K., here we go.

An exponent acts on a base number.
It tells you how many times to multiply the base.

In this example, the base is 2 and the exponent is 5.

This means 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x2 = 32
Note that 2⁵ does NOT mean '2 times 5'. It means 'multiply 2 by itself 5 times'.

Here's another example. The base is 4 and the exponent is 3.

This one means 'multiply 4 by itself 3 times. So it's 4 x 4 x 4 = 64

One more example; this time the base is 10:

This example is telling you to multiply 10 by itself 2 times. So the answer is 10 x 10 = 100.

Now you try some! For each example, work out the answer completely; then place and hold your mouse pointer over the correct answer. If you were right, it will tell you.

What's the answer?

Supply the correct power for each 'answer':

Answer each 'word' question:

'What power of 3 is 27?'

'What power of 8 is 64?'

Were you able to answer these questions correctly?

It's important to be able to do these without a calculator! In senior high mathematics courses, you can't afford the time it will take you to do these questions on a calculator ... knowing them 'by heart' is much faster!
To help you memorize the most common powers, we've listed them on a special page that you can print out and take with you. Visit the 'Powers to Memorize' page.

Now you're ready to try another page.
Next is the 'Product Rule'

Powers Introduction Simple Powers | Product Rule | Quotient Rule | Power Rule
Zero Exponent | Negative Exponents
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