Bases and exponents are mathematical terms that apply to numbers that are being multiplied a certain number of times. The base is the number or variable (letter that represents a value) that is being multiplied. The exponent indicates how many times that number or variable is multiplied times itself. This is also referred to as raising a number or variable to a certain "power." You can identify bases and exponents easily once you learn where they are located and what they look like.
Instructions
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1
Look for the number that is on the upper right corner of another number. This number usually appears smaller than the number to the left. This is the exponent, and this method of writing exponents is known as superscript.
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2
Look for a number that appears to the right of a caret (^) symbol. Exponents are sometimes typed this way as well.
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3
Look for the value that appears to the left of the exponent. This is the base. For example, if you have x^5, x is the base and 5 is the exponent.