1.2 Exponents and Powers

An expression like is called a . The 3 represents the number of times

the 2 is used as a factor.

32

32

powerexponent

base

ExamplesExponential Exponential

FormFormWordsWords MeaningMeaning

four to the second four to the second power or four power or four squaredsquared

Five to the third Five to the third power or five power or five cubedcubed

X to the sixth X to the sixth powerpower

2435

Practice

A. 3 squared

B. x to the fourth power

C. s cubed

Evaluate the Power

D) Evaluate when x = 2

16

4x

Grouping Symbols

- Indicate the order in which the operations should be performed.

- Operations within the innermost set of grouping symbols are done first

- ( ) parentheses- [ ] brackets

Evaluate Exponents a = 1 and b = 2

E.

5

Practice

F) a = 1 b = 2

B. (a + b)

2

Exponents and Grouping

G) x = 4

a). b).

Real-Life Applications

Exponents are often used in the formulas for area and volume.

Squared and CubedArea and Volume

Finding Volume

An aquarium has the shape of a cube.Each edge is 2 feet long.a. Find the volume in cubic feet.