Stuck? Start here. Read the steps, try the problem, then check your answer.
I can…
I can write and evaluate numbers in exponent form using a base and a power.
Key words
Exponent — A small number that tells how many times to multiply a number by itself.
Base — The number that gets multiplied by itself.
Power — A number written with a base and an exponent, like 2³.
Evaluate — To find the value by putting numbers in for the letters.
Steps
I want to find the value of 2³.
The small 3 tells me to multiply 2 by itself 3 times.
So I write 2 × 2 × 2.
First 2 × 2 = 4. Then 4 × 2 = 8.
So 2³ = 8.
Try it
What is the value of 3⁴?
Check your answer
81
3⁴ means use 3 as a factor 4 times: 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81. Choosing 12 means you multiplied the base by the exponent (3 × 4) instead of repeating the base as a factor. Choosing 34 means you just wrote the base and exponent digits side by side instead of evaluating. Choosing 64 mixes up this base and exponent with 4³ (4 × 4 × 4 = 64).
Sentence starter
I know ___ because ___.
Goal: I can explain my work using the words exponent, base, power, and evaluate.