TUTORIALS:
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Powers
Powers, or exponents begin
as shorthand notation for repeated multiplication. For example,
we write:
Here, 2 is called the base and 5 is called
the power or exponent. We
describe 2 5 as meaning 2 raised to the power
5 here. The exponent applies only to the quantity to its
immediate lower left. Be careful indicating powers of negative
numbers. Brackets must be used:
(-3) 4 = (-3) × (-3) × (-3) × (-3) = + 81
But, without the brackets
-3 4 =-3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = - 81
Without the brackets, the power of 4 in -3 4
applies only to the 3, and does not include the minus sign.
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