Answer:
Exponents are when you are multiplying numbers by themselves. The symbol is this sign right here ^
Step-by-step explanation:
Exponents are usually shown as ^
but they may also look more like a number that is on the top right corner of a value.
When you have an exponent, since you are multiplying by itself, you get the number times the number times the number on and on, counting on what the value of the exponent is.
If the number looks like this for example 2^5
You should either see that or a 2 with a 5 hugging the top right corner of the 2.
To solve them, you should do 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, since you are multiplying the 2 by itself 5 times.
2^1 is basically just 2, as you are multiplying 2 by itself no times at all.
2^2 should be 4, because you are multiplying 2 by 2 twice.
2^3 is 2 x 2 x 2 which is 4x2 which is 8.
When a number goes to the power of 0, such as 2^0 it is ALWAYS 1. For some weird reason, exponents going to the power of 0 is always 1, no matter what value the bottom number is.
1^0 = 1
2^0 =1
19442380528^0 = 1
Exponents to the negative power, are more difficult, however is just as easy as remembering the powers of 0.
You just flip the number upside down, so if the number is 3^-2 then it becomes 1/3 ^2
If the number is 3^-4
You get 1/3 x 1/3 x 1/3 x 1/3 which you end up getting 1/81.
You have to square the top numbers too when you are using exponents, so if 2/3 to the power of 3 is used,
you have to do 2/3 times 2/3 times 2/3, which is 2x2x2 over 3x3x3 giving you 8/27.
The same principle applies to when you do negative exponents, which you are just flipping over the fraction or number and doing the exponent.
2/3 to the power of -3, would give you 3/2 times 3/2 times 3/2, which gives you 27/8.
I will not get into much more detail, as it is a big unit to go through, but once you get the hang of them, it is easy to understand. I appologize if you feel lost, but there are many websites that go into more detail much better than me. Khan Academy gives VERY in depth videos on how exponents work with some humor, but I hope this helped at least!
