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Understanding Exponents

5.1.1 Understanding Exponents

5.1.1 • Understanding Exponents

Warm Up

An exponent indicates repeated multiplication of the same quantity.

First example: a raised to the power of m equals a times a times a times a and so on until you have multiplied m different factors of a together. Second example: the quantity negative 9 raised to the power of 5 equals negative 9 times negative 9 times negative 9 times negative 9 times negative 9, a total of 5 factors of negative 9.

Expand each exponential expression to show repeated multiplication.

1.

4 3 4 3

Compare your answer:

4·4·44·4·4

2.

x 5 x 5

Compare your answer:

x·x·x·x·xx·x·x·x·x

3.

( − 8 ) 6 ( − 8 ) 6

Compare your answer:

(−8)·(−8)·(−8)·(−8)·(−8)·(−8)(−8)·(−8)·(−8)·(−8)·(−8)·(−8)

4.

( − z ) 3 ( − z ) 3

Compare your answer:

(−z)·(−z)·(−z)(−z)·(−z)·(−z)