An image that repeats itself.

Anatomy of Exponential Terms

We use exponential notation to write repeated multiplication. For example, [latex]10\cdot10\cdot10[/latex] can be written more succinctly as [latex]10^{3}[/latex]. The [latex]10[/latex] in [latex]10^{3}[/latex] is called the base. The [latex]3[/latex] in [latex]10^{3}[/latex] is called the exponent. The expression [latex]10^{3}[/latex] is called the exponential expression. Knowing the names for the parts of an exponential expression or term will help you learn how to perform mathematical operations on them.

[latex]\text{base}\rightarrow10^{3\leftarrow\text{exponent}}[/latex]

[latex]10^{3}[/latex] is read as “[latex]10[/latex] to the third power” or “[latex]10[/latex] cubed.” It means [latex]10\cdot10\cdot10[/latex], or [latex]1,000[/latex].

[latex]8^{2}[/latex] is read as “[latex]8[/latex] to the second power” or “[latex]8[/latex] squared.” It means [latex]8\cdot8[/latex], or [latex]64[/latex].

[latex]5^{4}[/latex] is read as “[latex]5[/latex] to the fourth power.” It means [latex]5\cdot5\cdot5\cdot5[/latex], or [latex]625[/latex].

[latex]b^{5}[/latex] is read as “b to the fifth power.” It means [latex]{b}\cdot{b}\cdot{b}\cdot{b}\cdot{b}[/latex]. Its value will depend on the value of b.

The exponent applies only to the number that it is next to. Therefore, in the expression [latex]xy^{4}[/latex], only the y is affected by the [latex]4[/latex]. [latex]xy^{4}[/latex] means [latex]{x}\cdot{y}\cdot{y}\cdot{y}\cdot{y}[/latex]. The x in this term is a coefficient of y.

If the exponential expression is negative, such as [latex]−3^{4}[/latex], it means [latex]–\left(3\cdot3\cdot3\cdot3\right)[/latex], or [latex]−81[/latex].

If [latex]−3[/latex] is to be the base, it must be written as [latex]\left(−3\right)^{4}[/latex], which means [latex]−3\cdot−3\cdot−3\cdot−3[/latex], or [latex]81[/latex].

Likewise, [latex]\left(−x\right)^{4}=\left(−x\right)\cdot\left(−x\right)\cdot\left(−x\right)\cdot\left(−x\right)=x^{4}[/latex], while [latex]−x^{4}=–\left(x\cdot x\cdot x\cdot x\right)[/latex].

You can see that there is quite a difference, so you have to be very careful! The following examples show how to identify the base and the exponent as well as how to identify the expanded and exponential format of writing repeated multiplication.

In the following video, you are provided more examples of applying exponents to various bases.

Evaluate Expressions

Evaluating expressions containing exponents is the same as evaluating the linear expressions from earlier in the course. You substitute the value of the variable into the expression and simplify.

You can use the order of operations to evaluate the expressions containing exponents. First, evaluate anything in parentheses or grouping symbols. Next, look for exponents, followed by multiplication and division (reading from left to right), and lastly, addition and subtraction (again, reading from left to right).

So, when you evaluate the expression [latex]5x^{3}[/latex] if [latex]x=4[/latex], first substitute the value 4 for the variable x, then evaluate using order of operations.

Caution! Whether to include a negative sign as part of a base or not often leads to confusion. To clarify whether a negative sign is applied before or after the exponent, here is an example.

What is the difference in the way you would evaluate these two terms?

1. [latex]-{3}^{2}[/latex]
2. [latex]{\left(-3\right)}^{2}[/latex]

To evaluate 1), you would apply the exponent to the three first, then apply the negative sign last, like this:

[latex]\begin{array}{c}-\left({3}^{2}\right)=-\left(9\right) = -9\end{array}[/latex]

To evaluate 2), you would apply the exponent to the 3 and the negative sign:

[latex]\begin{array}{c}{\left(-3\right)}^{2}=\left(-3\right)\cdot\left(-3\right)={ 9}\end{array}[/latex]

The key to remembering this is to follow the order of operations. The first expression does not include parentheses so you would apply the exponent to the integer 3 first, then apply the negative sign. The second expression includes parentheses, so hopefully you will remember that the negative sign also gets squared.

Coming up, you will learn how to simplify expressions that contain exponents. Come back to this page if you forget how to apply the order of operations to a term with exponents or forget which is the base and which is the exponent!

In the following video, you are provided with examples of evaluating exponential expressions for a given number.