Math 6 High (Period 3)

Powers & Exponents 1-4


The power a^m is a product of the form

a^m = a·a·a·a·a·a·a....·a
m factors
The exponent m indicates the number of times the factor a (called the base)  is repeated.
For example, 10³  means 10 ×10×10 where the base  10 is repeated 3 times because the exponent is 3.

4² is 4 ×4 = 16
2³ is 2 ×2×2 = 8
5⁴ = 5⋅5⋅5⋅5 = 625

Evaluating an Expression

Evaluate x⁴ for the given value of x.
a. where x = 3
substitute  3 in for x
so
x⁴ becomes   3⁴
= 3⋅3⋅3⋅3 = 81

b. where x = 17
x⁴ becomes   17⁴
= 17⋅17⋅17⋅17
I would use a calculator for this one ( wouldn't you!)
= 83, 521


c. where x = 1
1⁴ = 1⋅1⋅1⋅1= 1
in fact
1¹²¹ = 1

Try this one:
2^x - x   when x = 5
substitute in 5 for each x
you get
2⁵ - 5
or
2⋅2⋅2⋅2⋅2 - 5
= 32 - 5
= 27