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title: Exponents
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## Exponents
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An exponent is shorthand for the the number of times a number is multiplied by itself. It is often denoted with a superscript, karat, or with "to the power of" such as:
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- 2< sup > 3</ sup >
- 2^3
- 2 to the power of 3
In this example, 3 is the exponent.
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To compute the value of 2< sup > 3</ sup > , you would multiply 2 to itself 3 times: 2 * 2 * 2. This evaluates to 8.
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The general format of writing an exponent is:
- base< sup > # of times you multiply base by itself</ sup >
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Common exponents have special names:
- Exponent of 2 is often referred to as squared. So 3< sup > 2</ sup > is referred to as 3 squared, evaluating to 9.
- Exponent of 3 is often referred to as cubed. So 2< sup > 3</ sup > is referred to as 3 cubed, evaluating to 8.
### Negative Exponents
Negative exponents are computed similarly, except the value is placed as a denominator beneath a numerator of 1.
For example, 2< sup > -2< / sup > = 1/(2*2) = 1/4
### More Examples
2< sup > 5< / sup > = 2*2*2*2*2 = 32
-2< sup > 5< / sup > = -2*-2*-2*-2*-2 = 32
10< sup > 6< / sup > = 1,000,000
2< sup > -5< / sup > = 1/(2*2*2*2*2) = 32