UNIT 7 Powers, Exponentiation

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7.1 Definition.

The power of a number shows you how many times to use the number in a multiplication.

a x a x a = a³ 

a to the power of three   OR   a to the third power

a - base; 3 - power (index, exponent)

NB:

a squared -    a²

             a cubed -     a³

7.2 Calculations.

Any number to the zero power is 1:      a⁰ = 1

Zero to any number is 0:                      0^x = 0

Whenever you multiply two terms with the same base, you can add the exponents: 

          a^x x a^y  = a^x+y

To raise a power to a power, multiply the exponents: 

          (a^x)^y = a^xy