When a number is multiplied by itself multiple times, writing out the entire multiplication can be cumbersome. Exponent notation offers a compact and efficient way to express this repeated multiplication. In exponent notation, the number being multiplied is called the base, and the small number written above and to the right of the base is the exponent or power, which indicates how many times the base is multiplied by itself. For example, the expression \$8 \times 8 \times 8 \times 8\( can be written as \)8^4\(, which is read as "eight to the fourth power."
This notation can be generalized for any base \)b\( and exponent \)n\(, written as \)b^n\(, meaning \)b\( multiplied by itself \)n\( times. Understanding how to convert between repeated multiplication and exponent notation is essential for simplifying expressions and performing calculations efficiently.
For instance, \)7^2\( (seven squared) means \)7 \times 7\(, which equals 49. The exponent 2 is often called "squared" because it represents the area of a square with side length 7. Similarly, \)10^3\( (ten cubed) means \)10 \times 10 \times 10\(, which equals 1,000. The exponent 3 is called "cubed" because it represents the volume of a cube with side length 10.
For exponents beyond 3, such as \)2^5\(, the expression means multiplying 2 by itself five times: \)2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2\(. Calculating this step-by-step, \)2 \times 2 = 4\(, then \)4 \times 2 = 8\(, \)8 \times 2 = 16\(, and finally \)16 \times 2 = 32\(. Thus, \)2^5 = 32\(.
It is also important to note that if a number has no visible exponent, it is understood to have an exponent of 1. For example, the number 4 can be written as \)4^1$, which simply means 4 itself.
Mastering exponent notation not only simplifies the representation of repeated multiplication but also lays the foundation for more advanced mathematical concepts such as powers, roots, and exponential functions.