3. There is a shorter way to show multiplication when the factors are the same. In the example provided, 3 is the base and 2 is the exponent. The exponent tells how many times the base is used as a factor. The exponent also tells the power of the base. The answer 9 is the second power of 3. You can use other numbers as exponents. For example: 31 = 3 (3 is the factor 1 time= 3) 33 = 27 (3 is the factor 3 times = 3 X 3 X 3) Special Note: The product of two negative numbers is positive. -25 = -32 (-2 is the factor 5 times = -2 X -2 X -2 X -2 X -2)
5. It’s Your Turn!! Let’s Practice Solve the following: 62 = ? Use 6 as a factor 2 times. Remember to multiply. Answer = 36 43 = ? Use 4 as a factor ? times. Answer = 64 -53 = ? Use -5 as a factor ? times. Answer = 125 14 = ? Answer = 1 35 = ? Answer= 243