POWERS & EXPONENTS
Math 8
Base:
Exponent:
Power:
Expanded Form:
the number that is being multiplied repeatedly
small superscript number that indicates how many
times the base is being multiplied by itself
a number obtained by raising a base to an exponent
the combination of the base and the exponent
base
exponent
Power
statement showing the product of each base the correct
number of times
expanded form
Write the expression in expanded form
Write each expression using exponents
parentheses show that this
base is a negative number
variables can be bases too
alphabetical order
Expand each expression, then evaluate
What is the base?
−2 is in parentheses,
so the base is negative
−2 is NOT in parentheses,
so the base is positive
only one negative sign
four negative signs get multiplied
What can we conclude?
both have an odd number
of negative signs
every two negative signs pair
up to become a positive
parentheses can be dropped
without changing the result,
keep the negative sign
when the exponent is even the
parentheses and negative sign
could be dropped
Would be a positive or negative when evaluated?
negative, because there is one negative sign (the invisible −1)
Write an equivalent power that
does not use parentheses
Expand each expression, then evaluate
negative base
parentheses won’t
change the result since
the base is positive
positive since the exponent was even
The deck of a skateboard has an area of about 25⋅7 square
inches. What is the area of the skateboard deck?
Evaluate each expression if
negative base
Evaluate each expression if
must put in parentheses
Evaluate each expression if