![]() | The exponent the a number says how countless times to usethe number in a multiplication. In this example: 82 = 8 × 8 = 64 |
In words: 82 deserve to be called "8 come the 2nd power", "8 come the strength 2" or simply "8 squared" |
Example: 53 = 5 × 5 × 5 = 125
In words: 53 can be dubbed "5 come the 3rd power", "5 come the strength 3" or merely "5 cubed"
In general:
an speak you to usage a in a multiplication n times: | ![]() |
But those are positive exponents, what around something like:
8-2
That exponent is negative ... What does that mean?
Negative Exponents
Negative? What could be the opposite of multiplying? Dividing!

That last instance showed an easier means to handle an unfavorable exponents:
Calculate the hopeful exponent (an)4-2 | = | 1 / 42 | = | 1/16 = 0.0625 |
10-3 | = | 1 / 103 | = | 1/1,000 = 0.001 |
It All provides Sense
My favorite technique is to begin with "1" and also then main point or divide as many times as the exponent says, then you will get the right answer, because that example:
.. Etc.. | ![]() | ||
52 | 1 × 5 × 5 | 25 | |
51 | 1 × 5 | 5 | |
50 | 1 | 1 | |
5-1 | 1 ÷ 5 | 0.2 | |
5-2 | 1 ÷ 5 ÷ 5 | 0.04 | |
.. Etc.. See more: " Here Comes A Thought Piano Sheet Music For Piano (Solo), Here Comes A Thought (Steven Universe Ost) |
If you look at that table, girlfriend will view that positive, zero or an unfavorable exponents are really component of the very same (fairly simple) pattern.