Definition
Exponentiation
Exponentiation uses a base and an exponent to make a power.
What it means
In 3⁴, the base is 3 and the exponent is 4. Exponentiation uses four factors of 3: 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81. The raised notation shows the operation compactly.
Remember it
Exponentiation builds a power from a base and an exponent.
Example
Find 5³. Use three equal factors of 5: 5 × 5 × 5 = 125. So 5³ = 125.
Watch for
The repeated-multiplication picture here applies when the exponent is a positive whole number.
Common mix-up
5³ is not 5 × 3; the exponent counts factors of the base.
Exact meaning
Exponentiation is the operation that combines a base and an exponent to form a power. When the exponent is a positive whole number, it means multiplying the base by itself as that many equal factors.