How it works
A power is repeated multiplication. The exponent counts the factors.
6 × 6 = 6². 3³ means 3 × 3 × 3.
In an expression, work out the power before you add or take away.
Worked examples
Write as a power
- 6 × 6 = 6^?
- 6 × 6 has 2 sixes.
- So 6 × 6 = 6².
- So the answer is 2.
Order of work
- 3³ − 7 = ?
- 3³ = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27.
- Then subtract: 27 − 7 = 20.
- So the answer is 20.
A bigger base
- 20² = ?
- 20² means 20 × 20.
- 2 × 2 = 4, then add the two zeros.
- So the answer is 400.
A taste of the worksheet
These are the first problems of set A. The printable sheet has many more, with an answer key.
- 2 × 2 = 2^__
- 4 × 4 = 4^__
- 4² = __
- 9 × 9 = 9^__
- 3 × 3 × 3 = 3^__
Words to know
- exponent
- The small number that counts how many times to multiply.
- base
- The number that is multiplied.
Watch out for
- 3² is 3 × 3 = 9, not 3 × 2.