5.1.1 Understanding Exponents

Algebra 15.1.1 Understanding Exponents

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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.

$4^{3}$

Compare your answer:

$4 \cdot 4 \cdot 4$

$x^{5}$

Compare your answer:

$x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x \cdot x$

$(- 8)^{6}$

Compare your answer:

$(- 8) \cdot (- 8) \cdot (- 8) \cdot (- 8) \cdot (- 8) \cdot (- 8)$

$(- z)^{3}$

Compare your answer:

$(- z) \cdot (- z) \cdot (- z)$

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