Exponential Notation

Exponents are used to indicate repeated multiplication of the same number.

For example, we use exponential notation to write:

5 · 5 · 5 · 5 · 5⁴

5⁴ is read “five to the fourth power.”

In the expression 5⁴:

• The base, 5, is the repeated factor.

• The exponent, 4, indicates the number of times the base appears as a factor. An exponent is also called a power.

Example 1

Find: 2³.

Solution

The base is 2 and the exponent is 3.

Example 2

Solution

There are six factors. Each is 10. Therefore, the base is 10 and the exponent is 6.