In simple words, exponents are the shorter way to write the repeated multiplication of a number.
Let’s clear the above sentence by doing the following example:
Consider we have the following repeated multiplication of ‘2s”
2 x 2 x 2
We can write it using exponents as shown below:
2 x 2 x 2 = 2³
The number which is repeated in multiplication becomes the “BASE” of and “number of times” it got repeated becomes the “EXPONENT” or “POWER” of the “BASE”.
2³ is read as “2 to the power 3” or “2 raised to the power of 3”
For practice: Learners can practice on to find out the base and exponent (power) in the following examples:
5³; 7³, 3² , 6², 4
Knowledge of exponents is the key for higher math. Kids in grade 6 and 7 should know all the above basics about exponents. In grade 8 and higher they should know the special rules for exponents. We need them to make math equation shorter as they are shorter way to write repeated multiplication and need exponents to develop logarithmic understanding which is a key to further higher studies in mathematics, physics and astronomy.
