An exponent is a number that tells how many times the base number is
used as a factor. For example, 34 indicates that the base number 3
is used as a factor 4 times. To determine the value of 34, multiply
3*3*3*3 which would give the result 81.
If a negative number is raised to an even power, the result will be positive.
(-2)4 = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = 16
If a negative number is raised to an odd power, the result will be negative.
(-2)5 = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = -32
The negative number must be enclosed by parentheses to have the exponent apply to
the negative term.
Note that (-2)4 = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = 16
and -24 = -(2 * 2 * 2 * 2) = -16
Exponents are written as a superscript number (e.g. 34) or preceded
by the caret (^) symbol (e.g. 3^4).
Some facts about exponents:
- Zero raised to any power is zero (e.g. 05 = 0)
- One raised to any power is one (e.g. 15 = 1)
- Any number raised to the zero power is one (e.g. 70 = 1)
- Any number raised to the first power is that number (e.g. 71 = 7)
