

Dictionary Definition
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a power as "a quantity obtained by multiplying a given quantity by itself one or more times, the number of times the given quantity appears as a factor of the resulting product being indicated as the exponent of that quantity."The Parts of a Power
A power consists of a base and an exponent:
- 3 is called the base. It is the number that is multiplying itself.
- 2 is called the exponent. It tells you how many times the base is multiplying itself.
Real Examples of Powers
Some real examples of powers are given below. (Don't forget: the base is multiplied by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent).
- The base can be a letter instead of a number:
- The exponent can be a letter:
- Both the base and the exponent can be letters:
Saying a Power
How do you say 32? You could say:- 3 to the power of 2.
- The second power of 3.
- 3 to the 2.
- In the special case where the exponent is 2, we can say 3 "squared".
Powers of 10
A power of 10 has a base of 10 and an exponent:101 = 10
102 = 10 × 10 = 100
103 = 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000
103 = 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 10,000
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