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Fixed typos and added a reference. (#27435)

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* Fixed typos and added a reference.

* fix: removed the word that
This commit is contained in:
Andrew Mackie
2019-01-26 00:17:21 -08:00
committed by Randell Dawson
parent ee41670721
commit 6732bc75e4
1 changed files with 12 additions and 8 deletions
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guide/english/mathematics/exponents/index.md
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@ -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:
- 2<sup>3</sup>
- 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 2<sup>3</sup>, you would multiply 2 to itself 3 times: 2 * 2 * 2. This evaluates to 8.
To compute the value of 2<sup>3</sup>, you would multiply 2 to itself 3 times: 2 * 2 * 2. This evaluates to 8.
The general format of writing an exponent is:
- base<sup># of times you multiply base by itself</sup>
Common exponents have special names:
- Exponent of 2 is often referred to as squared. So 3<sup>2</sup> is referred to as 3 squared, evaluating to 9.
- Exponent of 3 is often referred to as cubed. So 2<sup>3</sup> is referred to as 3 cubed, evaluating to 8.
- An exponent of 2 means the number is squared. So 3<sup>2</sup> is referred to as 3 squared, evaluating to 9.
- An exponent of 3 means the number is cubed. So 2<sup>3</sup> 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<sup>-2</sup> = 1/(2*2) = 1/4
For example, 2<sup>-2</sup> = <sup>1</sup>/<sub>(2 * 2)</sub> = <sup>1</sup>/<sub>4</sub>
### More Examples
2<sup>5</sup> = 2*2*2*2*2 = 32
2<sup>5</sup> = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 = 32
-2<sup>5</sup> = -2*-2*-2*-2*-2 = 32
(-2)<sup>5</sup> = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = -32
10<sup>6</sup> = 1,000,000
2<sup>-5</sup> = 1/(2*2*2*2*2) = 32
2<sup>-5</sup> = <sup>1</sup>/<sub>(2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2)</sub> = <sup>1</sup>/<sub>32</sub>
### More Information:
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponentiation)