diff --git a/guide/english/mathematics/exponents/index.md b/guide/english/mathematics/exponents/index.md index c3e3dd4812..af7799b214 100644 --- a/guide/english/mathematics/exponents/index.md +++ b/guide/english/mathematics/exponents/index.md @@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ title: Exponents --- ## Exponents -An exponent is shorthand for the the number of times a number is multiplied by itself. It is often denoted with a superscript, karat, or with "to the power of" such as: + +An exponent is shorthand for the number of times a number is multipled by itself. It is typically denoted with a superscript, karat, or with "to the power of" such as: - 23 - 2^3 @@ -10,26 +11,29 @@ An exponent is shorthand for the the number of times a number is multiplied by i In this example, 3 is the exponent. -To compute the value of 23, you would multiply 2 to itself 3 times: 2 * 2 * 2. This evaluates to 8. +To compute the value of 23, you would multiply 2 to itself 3 times: 2 * 2 * 2. This evaluates to 8. The general format of writing an exponent is: - base# of times you multiply base by itself Common exponents have special names: -- Exponent of 2 is often referred to as squared. So 32 is referred to as 3 squared, evaluating to 9. -- Exponent of 3 is often referred to as cubed. So 23 is referred to as 3 cubed, evaluating to 8. +- An exponent of 2 means the number is squared. So 32 is referred to as 3 squared, evaluating to 9. +- An exponent of 3 means the number is cubed. So 23 is referred to as 2 cubed, evaluating to 8. ### Negative Exponents Negative exponents are computed similarly, except the value is placed as a denominator beneath a numerator of 1. -For example, 2-2 = 1/(2*2) = 1/4 +For example, 2-2 = 1/(2 * 2) = 1/4 ### More Examples -25 = 2*2*2*2*2 = 32 +25 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 = 32 --25 = -2*-2*-2*-2*-2 = 32 +(-2)5 = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = -32 106 = 1,000,000 -2-5 = 1/(2*2*2*2*2) = 32 +2-5 = 1/(2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2) = 1/32 +### More Information: + +- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponentiation)