How to Write Exponents
Concept
Exponent of a number shows how many times we are multiplying a number by itself. Exponent is also known as the power of a number. It can be a whole number, fraction, negative number, or decimals.
Exponential Form is a way of representing repeated multiplication of the same number by writing the number as a base with the number of repeats written as a small number to its upper right. The small number is called an exponent or power.
Rules
1. The repeated factor is called the “base”
2. The number of times the factor is repeated is the “exponent”. an = a x a x a … x a (where there are n factors).
3. The a is the base, and the n is the exponent.
Example
Write in the exponential form.
3 . 3 . 3 . 3
Solution
1. Write the base number (3).
2. Determine how many times the base number (3) is repeated. It is repeated 4 times. Thus the exponent is 4. Write the exponent in the upper right corner of the base number. Write it smaller than the base number.
Answer: 34
Practice How to Write Exponents
Practice Problem 1
Write the exponent as the product of the same factor.
Use ‘x’ or ‘*’ as multiplication sign.
46
Practice Problem 2
Write in the exponential form.
80•80•80
Practice Problem 3
Write 43 to the seventh power in the exponential form.
Base – The number that tells what number is being multiplied.
Exponent – A small number written above and to the right of the base number, tells how many times the base number is being multiplied. Also known as power.
Pre-requisite Skills
Identify Factors
Prime and Composite Numbers
Prime Factorization