Basic Technical Mathematics, 11th Edition

1.4 Exponents and Unit Conversions

• Positive Integer Exponents • Zero and Negative Exponents • Order of Operations • Evaluating Algebraic Expressions • Converting Units

In mathematics and its applications, we often have a number multiplied by itself several times. To show this type of product, we use the notation $a^n\hspace{0.17em},\hspace{0.17em}$ where a is the number and n is the number of times it appears. In the expression $a^n\hspace{0.17em},\hspace{0.17em}$ the number a is called the base, and n is called the exponent; in words, $a^n$ is read as “the nth power of a.”

EXAMPLE 1 Meaning of exponents

.4-3 Full Alternative Text

We now state the basic operations with exponents using positive integers ...