Question
What's an exponent
Answers
GPT-4o mini
An exponent is a mathematical notation that indicates how many times a number, known as the base, is multiplied by itself. It is written as a small number to the upper right of the base number. For example, in the expression \( 2^3 \), the number 2 is the base, and 3 is the exponent. This means:
\[
2^3 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8
\]
So, \( 2^3 \) equals 8.
Exponents can also represent other operations:
- \( 2^0 = 1 \) (Any non-zero number raised to the power of zero is 1)
- \( 2^{-2} = \frac{1}{2^2} = \frac{1}{4} \) (A negative exponent indicates a reciprocal)
- \( (2^3)^2 = 2^{3 \times 2} = 2^6 = 64 \) (When raising a power to another power, you multiply the exponents)
This notation is widely used in various areas of mathematics, physics, and engineering.
\[
2^3 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8
\]
So, \( 2^3 \) equals 8.
Exponents can also represent other operations:
- \( 2^0 = 1 \) (Any non-zero number raised to the power of zero is 1)
- \( 2^{-2} = \frac{1}{2^2} = \frac{1}{4} \) (A negative exponent indicates a reciprocal)
- \( (2^3)^2 = 2^{3 \times 2} = 2^6 = 64 \) (When raising a power to another power, you multiply the exponents)
This notation is widely used in various areas of mathematics, physics, and engineering.