How to Calculate Powers of Numbers

How to Calculate Powers of Numbers
••• LongHa2006/iStock/GettyImages

The powers of numbers are also called exponents. A number, ​X​, to the power of 2 is also referred to as ​X​ squared. The number ​X​ to the power of 3 is called ​X​ cubed. ​X​ is called the base number. Calculating an exponent is as simple as multiplying the base number by itself.

    Learn to work with positive exponents and positive base numbers. The exponent tells you how many times to multiply the number by itself. For instance, three to the power of four, or 34, will be:

    3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 9 × 9 = 81

    Calculate a negative exponent using inversion. When the exponent is a negative number, you are using the inverse of the number. For example, three to the power of negative four, or 3 −4, will be equal to one over three to the power of positive four

    \frac{1}{3^4} \text{ or } \frac{1}{3 × 3 × 3 × 3} \text{ or } \frac{1}{81}

    Use care when calculating a negative base number. When the base number is negative, you must follow the rules of multiplying negative numbers. This means that if the base number is even, the answer will be positive, and if the base is an odd number, the answer will be negative. For instance, negative 2 to the power of 2, or -22 is:

    -2 × -2 = 4

    But negative 2 to the power of 3 is:

    -2 × -2 × -2 = 4 × -2 = -8

    By definition, number to the power of 0 will always equal 1.

Related Articles

What Does YX Mean on a Calculator?
How to Cancel a Natural Log
What Are Powers of Ten?
How to Convert Watts into Kilowatt Hours
How to Do Powers in Math
How to Determine an Unknown Exponent
Rules of Dividing Negative Numbers
How to Integrate the Cube Root of X
How to Make a Negative Sign With the TI-84 Plus
How to Convert Whole Numbers to Fractions
How to Multiply Fractions With Negative Numbers
What Is E10?
How to Calculate Arctan
How to Get Rid of Cubed Power
How to Put Base Log on Graphing Calculator
How to Make a Simple Circuit
How to Write in Exponential Form
How to Calculate Binary Numbers
How to Calculate Transformer VA Rating

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!