An exponent tells how many times a base number is multiplied by itself. The exponent is written as a small number to the upper right of the base number. For example, in the expression 34, 3 is the base and 4 is the exponent, meaning 3 x 3 x 3 x 3. Exponents can be read in terms of the base being raised to a power, like "three to the fourth power." Negative exponents expand the negative part of the base number. Anything raised to the zero power equals one, except when the base is negative, in which case the result is negative one.

1. Exponents

2. Location of Exponent
 An exponent is a little number highAn exponent is a little number high
and to the right of a regular or baseand to the right of a regular or base
number.number.
3
4
Base
Exponent

3. Definition of Exponent
 An exponent tells how many timesAn exponent tells how many times
a number is multiplied by itself.a number is multiplied by itself.
3
4
Base
Exponent

4. What an Exponent Represents
 An exponent tells how many timesAn exponent tells how many times
a number is multiplied by itself.a number is multiplied by itself.
3
4
= 3 x 3 x 3 x 3

5. How to read an Exponent
 This exponent is readThis exponent is read three to thethree to the
fourth power.fourth power.
3
4
Base
Exponent

6. How to read an Exponent
 This exponent is readThis exponent is read three to thethree to the
22ndnd
powerpower oror three squared.three squared.
3
2
Base
Exponent

7. How to read an Exponent
 This exponent is readThis exponent is read three to thethree to the
3rd power3rd power oror three cubed.three cubed.
3
3
Base
Exponent

8. Read These Exponents
3 2 6 72 3 5 4

9. What is the Exponent?
2 x 2 x 2 = 2
3

10. What is the Exponent?
3 x 3 = 3
2

11. What is the Exponent?
5 x 5 x 5 x 5 = 5
4

12. What is the Base and the
Exponent?
8 x 8 x 8 x 8 = 8
4

13. What is the Base and the
Exponent?
7 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7 =7
5

14. What is the Base and the
Exponent?
9 x 9 = 9 2

15. How to Multiply Out an
Exponent to Find the
Standard Form
= 3 x 3 x 3 x 33
9
27
81
4

16. What is the Base and Exponent
in Standard Form?
4
2
= 16

17. What is the Base and Exponent
in Standard Form?
2
3
= 8

18. What is the Base and Exponent
in Standard Form?
3
2
= 9

19. What is the Base and Exponent
in Standard Form?
5
3
= 125

20. Evaluating Exponents with
Negative Bases:
Ex1 (-2)4
= (-2)(-2)(-2)(-2) = 16
Ex2 -24
= -2(2)(2)(2) = -16
The negative is included within the
parenthesis. Expand the negative.
The negative is NOT included within
the parenthesis. Expand the 2 ONLY,
then attach the negative at then end.

21. Evaluating Exponents with
Negative Bases:
Ex3 (-5)3
= (-5)(-5)(-5) = -125
Ex4 -53
= -5(5)(5) = -125
The negative is included within the
parenthesis. Expand the negative.
The negative is NOT included within
the parenthesis. Expand the 5 ONLY,
then attach the negative at then end.

22. Exponents of Zero
Anything Raised to Zero = 1.
Ex5 20
= 1 Ex6 (-2)0
= 1
Ex7 -20
= -1 Ex8 x0
= 1
Notice this answer is -1, not just 1. This
is because the negative on the base of 2
is NOT being raised to the zero power.