Knowing every little detail is something impossible even for the most studied. But knowing those most important concepts is a task that we must all keep in mind. Powers is precisely one of those topics that we all need to know and that helps us make our daily exercises a little easier to understand.
The first thing to do when learning about powers is to know specifically what mathematics refers to with this term. A power is a way of abbreviating a multiplication exercise that is formed by a series of numbers that are equal to each other.
As in other mathematical factors, each of the parts of a power corresponds to its name with which it can be identified as an operation is carried out. First of all there is the base, which is the number that is multiplied several times; as well as there is the exponent that is the number of times that said number is going to be multiplied.
Regarding the numerical representation of the powers, the base will be written like any other number that is represented, the difference is in the exponent since it will be written much smaller than the base, and it will be located on the right side. on top.
The powers are useful for the simplification of any multiplication , it is a way of saving space in the different exercises that are going to be carried out. It is also a way of organizing information when the data is repetitive and you need to keep track of what you are doing in the most orderly way possible with almost immediate and easy-to-understand results.
What do you need
- Calculator
- Sheets or notebooks
- Pencil
- Constancy
- Computer
- Order
Instructions
- Understanding the theory. To learn about powers, as with any other concept in mathematics, you have to learn to work on the theoretical part. You have to know, first of all, what the powers are, what they are used for and how to identify each of its parts. This is extremely important if you want learning to be comprehensive.
- At first you have to forget about the calculator. If we really want to understand the exercises and problems related to powers, we have to face them first without the help of the calculator. The use of this device makes our lives much easier, but if we don’t learn to carry out an exercise without using it, we will not be fully understanding the subject.
At present, the use of the calculator, either on the computer or in a traditional way, is extremely important in mathematics. For this reason, no one takes away the fact that this device is used, we just tell you that first you learn to overcarry the powers so that later you can do them with the calculator and clearly understand what is happening. - Knowing how to multiply properly. Working with powers requires having a significant command of multiplication. This is because it is the fundamental basis of this topic. Regardless of the exponent of the power, you have to understand very well the different ways in which it is multiplied, as a consequence of the larger the exponent, the base number will grow equally, making you work with two and three figures in the same operation. Although powers are a method to simplify said multiplication, mastering it is key. Learning each of the multiplication tables, before starting to work with powers, is the key to learning them and each of the results that can be recorded.
- Carry an order. One of the most important parts of powers is to carry an order. This part is essential since solving powers means doing several continuous multiplications and if the results are not ordered correctly, everything can be misinterpreted. Each one of the multiplications that you are doing, must be written down until concluding in the final result. With this result, the expression of the power, the equals sign together with the final answer will be placed. In this way, it will be represented in a simpler and more understandable way both for you and for those who read the finished exercise.
- Know the different cases. A peculiarity of the powers is that there may be certain cases that are easier to carry out than others and that you have to learn to recognize them easily. Let’s see some of them: Zero Exponent: The particular case can be given that a power, based on any number, has zero as an exponent. In the event that you get this particular type, the answer will always be one. There is no need to complicate looking for more elaborate results, except that the base is zero, in which case the answer will be the same number. Exponent 1: In this case you simply have to remember the basic rule of multiplication which says that any number raised to one will result in the same number. That is to say, that any power that has the number as an exponent will result in the base number without being able to do more than that. Base 10: In what refers to the base of the power that is equal to the number 10, the final result will be one plus the number of zeros equal to the exponent raised. This also happens with the number one hundred, in which case the zeros will be written twice according to the exponent. This rule applies to all successive numbers such as one thousand or ten thousand.
- Power Properties. After you have learned to recognize and apply the power cases, as well as obtain your results, it is time to learn about the different properties. Power Multiplication Where Base Is the Same. This particular property can be solved very easily. The same base will simply be kept in the result and only the different exponents will be added, the power you obtain will be multiplied and that’s it. Power division where the base is the same. In the case of division, the process will be similar to that of multiplication with the exception that instead of adding the exponents, they will be subtracted from each other to achieve the result that will finally be multiplied according to the exponent that has been given as a result. Solving powers that are within a power
In this case, the procedure will be quite similar to the previous cases, with the exception that both exponents of the power will be multiplied and the same final base will be kept in the same way. Multiplication and division of power whose exponent is the same. In this case, the multiplication or division, as the case may be, will be done between the bases to finally leave the exponent that both quantities share as equal. Finally, the power is solved with the regular process. - Many forms of power. As you may have realized, power can come in all possible forms and cases. They can be added and subtracted, as well as multiplied and finally divided. They can be inside another power and have the same or different bases and exponents. It is a world of infinite possibilities that are used in everyday life to make the job of multiplication a little easier.
- Practice: After we’ve shown you all the ways you can get the different power cases it’s time to practice. It is useless for you to read how they are made if all the theory that we have given you is not put into practice. For this particular case, the computer can be very helpful. You can search the internet for power exercise quizzes to help you perform various exercises from scratch. You can also ask another person to give you several problems so that you can sit down and do them. In this way you can strengthen each of the knowledge you have acquired and then show them later.
Tips
Do not give up, we know that mathematics can be somewhat complicated but if you study enough, believe us that you will learn to handle powers very easily. Do exercises until you master the topic and ask for help if you don’t understand it properly.
Take your time to learn about the different power cases and how to work them. It’s a subject that can be confusing, especially if the theory isn’t entirely clear, so look for ways to understand the subject in a way that makes it much easier for you individually.
The exercises or power problems for learning this subject are a fundamental tool in the education of mathematics. Throughout all the learning, the powers will be used in different ways, hence the importance of mastering this subject and above all that the knowledge related to them is truly obtained.