91Ó°ÊÓ

${\text{a}}^{\text{x}}→$a is the base and x is exponent.

The power is the result of repeated multiplication of the same factor.

The expressionsa^xthis means that a has been used as a factor x times

Example: Find the base and the exponent of 2⁷

Rule: ${\text{a}}^{\text{x}}→$a is called base and x is power.

a = 2 and x = 7

Base = 2 and power = 7

To express the power in words, write:2raised to the power 7.

In repeated multiplication: $2 · 2 · 2  · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 $

Evaluate: $2^7=2 · 2 · 2  · 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 =128$

Write the power in words and as a repeated multiplication. Then evaluate the power${\left(1.2\right)}^3$

According to the exponent rule:

${\text{a}}^{\text{x}}→$a is called base and x is power.

a = 1.2 and x = 3

To express the power in words, write:${\left(1.2\right)}^3$raised to the power 3.

In repeated multiplication: $(1.2) · (1.2) · (1.2)$

Evaluate: ${(1.2)}^3  =  (1.2) · (1.2) · (1.2)  =  1.728$