Evaluate exponents

Key notes:

Understanding Exponents:

Explain that exponents show how many times a number (base) is multiplied by itself.

Basic Exponent Rules:

Introduce rules like am × an = am+n and am/an = am−n emphasizing how exponents behave in multiplication and division.

Negative Exponents:

Discuss how a−n is equivalent to 1/an ​, illustrating the concept of reciprocals.

Zero Exponent:

Teach that a0 = 1 for any nonzero number aaa, emphasizing this as a fundamental property.

Practical Examples:

Use examples like 23 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8 to demonstrate exponentiation in action.

Order of Operations:

Clarify the importance of following the order of operations when evaluating expressions with exponents.

Application Problems:

Provide word problems that involve real-world scenarios where exponents are used, such as calculating areas or volumes.

An exponent tells you how many times its base is used as a factor.

Exponents are used to write repeated multiplication.

For example, for a base of 4:

42 = 4 · 4 = 16

43 = 4 · 4 · 4 = 64

44 = 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 = 256

45 = 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 = 1,024

An exponent tells you how many times its base is used as a factor.

Exponents are used to write repeated multiplication.

For example, for a base of 5:

52 = 5 · 5 = 25

53 = 5 · 5 · 5 = 125

54 = 5 · 5 · 5 · 5 = 625

55 = 5 · 5 · 5 · 5 · 5 = 3,125

Learn with an example

📢 Evaluate. 52 = ____

  • The base is 5 and the exponent is 2. Use 5 as a factor 2 times.
  • 52 = 5 · 5
  • = 25

📢 Evaluate. 33 = ___

  • The base is 3 and the exponent is 3. Use 3 as a factor 3 times.
  • 33 = 3 · 3 · 3
  • = 27

📢 Evaluate. 92 = ___

The base is 9 and the exponent is 2. Use 9 as a factor 2 times.

92 = 9 · 9

= 81

let’s practice! 🖊️