POWERS AND EXPONENTS by Mr. Johnk POWERS AND EXPONENTS POWERS AND EXPONENTS Big numbers are sometimes written as a power to make it easier to write. POWERS AND EXPONENTS LET’S TRY AN EXAMPLE OR TWO! Which is the exponent? Which is the base? 3 21 What is the value when you evaluate the power? 21 is the base 3 is the exponent The base needs to be used as a factor 3 times. 21 x 21 x 21 The answer is? 9261! It is NOT 63! HERE’S ANOTHER! Evaluate. 2 3 The answer would be? 9 WHAT NOW? Evaluate. 0 21 Any positive number with an exponent of zero = 1! Evaluate. 3 • 2 2 3 2 x2 x 2 8 x 72 3x3 9 The bullet means to multiply!