When we have to repeatedly multiply a number by itself, we raise it to a power. This is known as Exponent. The power in the exponent represents the number of times that we want to carry out the multiplication operation. Exponents have their own set of rules when it comes to carrying out Arithmetic Operations. In this chapter, we will learn about powers, exponents and their peripheral rules.
FAQ on Exponents and Powers
Question 1: How are powers and exponents different?
Answer: We often call exponents as powers or indices. In other words, power refers to an expression which represents repeated multiplication of the same number while exponent is a quantity which represents the power to which we raise the number. Basically, we often use both these terms interchangeably in mathematical operations.
Question 2: What are exponents?
Answer: Exponents are basically a short form that denotes the total times we are multiplying a number by itself. For instance, 2³ is equal to 2*2*2. Thus, instead of writing it like this we must shorten it and write it as 2³. This makes it easier to understand. So, 2³ is read as ‘2 raised to the power three’ or two cubed’.
Question 3: What is the zero exponent rule?
Answer: When we have a number or variable that is raised to a power, the number or variable is referred to as the base, whereas the superscript number is referred to as the exponent or power. The zero exponent rule essentially states that any base with an exponent of zero equals to one. For instance: x^0 = 1.
Question 4: What is a positive exponent?
Answer: A positive exponent basically tells us how many times we need to multiply a base number, and similarly, a negative exponent tells us