Exponent — Grade 7 Math, what it means and where it is taught
How many times the base is used as a factor. In 53 the exponent is 3.
Taught in Grade 7 Math.
Where it is taught
What it rests on
Work through these first if this one does not settle.
- Base — The number being multiplied. In 53 the base is 5.
What uses it later
This idea is needed for:
- Degree — The largest exponent on the variable.
- Logarithm — logb y is the exponent that turns b into y.
Practise this idea
27 questions in the course bank use Exponent, in Positive & Negative Rational Number Operations, Exponents & Scientific Notation, Operations with Scientific Notation, Expressions, Structure & Units, Polynomial Operations, Radicals & Rational Exponents. The first 8 are below; the rest are in those units.
Problem 1
Compute -32.
Worked answer
-9
-32 = -(32) = -(9) = -9
The minus sign waits outside the exponent.
Problem 2
Simplify 52 · 53 and give its value.
Worked answer
3125
52+3 = 55
= 3125
Problem 3
Simplify 23 · 24 and give its value.
Worked answer
128
23+4 = 27
= 128
Problem 4
Simplify 3835 and give its value.
Worked answer
27
38-5 = 33
= 27
Problem 5
Simplify (23)2 and give its value.
Worked answer
64
23 × 2 = 26
= 64
Problem 6
Evaluate 2-3.
Worked answer
1/8
2-3 = 123
= 18
Problem 7
Write 0.00047 in scientific notation. Enter just the exponent of 10.
Worked answer
-4
0.00047 → 4.7 is 4 places right
Small number, so negative: 4.7 × 10-4
Problem 8
Write 52,000 in scientific notation. Enter just the exponent of 10.
Worked answer
4
52,000 → 5.2 is 4 places left
5.2 × 104