How to Calculate Exponents
What is Exponents?
An exponent (power) indicates how many times a base is multiplied by itself. Exponents appear in compound interest, scientific notation, computer storage, and virtually all of science.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1bⁿ means multiply b by itself n times
- 2b⁰ = 1 for any non-zero b
- 3b⁻ⁿ = 1/bⁿ (negative exponent = reciprocal)
- 4b^(1/n) = nth root of b (fractional exponent)
Worked Examples
Input
2¹⁰
Result
1,024
2×2×2×2×2×2×2×2×2×2
Input
5⁻²
Result
0.04
1/5² = 1/25
Input
8^(1/3)
Result
2
Cube root of 8
Input
10³
Result
1,000
Basis of metric kilo prefix
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