33 lines
1.0 KiB
Markdown
33 lines
1.0 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Exponents
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---
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## Exponents
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An exponent is shorthand for the the number of times a number is multipled 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>
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- 2^3
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- 2 to the power of 3
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In this example, 3 is the exponent.
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To compute the value of 2<sup>3</sup>, you would multiple 2 to itself 3 times: 2 * 2 * 2. This evalutes to 8.
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Common exponents have special names:
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- Exponent of 2 is often referred to as squared. So 3<sup>2</sup> is referred to as 3 squared, evaluating to 9.
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- Exponent of 3 is often referred to as cubed. So 2<sup>3</sup> is referred to as 3 cubed, evaluating to 8.
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### Negative Exponents
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Negative exponents are computed similarly, except the value is placed as a denominator beneath a numerator of 1.
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For example, 2<sup>-2</sup> = 1/(2*2) = 1/4
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### More Examples
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2<sup>5</sup> = 2*2*2*2*2 = 32
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-2<sup>5</sup> = -2*-2*-2*-2*-2 = 32
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10<sup>6</sup> = 1,000,000
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2<sup>-5</sup> = 1/(2*2*2*2*2) = 32
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