An exponent is a number in a power that represents how many times a base is used as a factor.

2⁴ = 2 x 2 x 2 x 2.

2⁴ = (2)(2)(2)(2).

2⁴ = 16

Base: 2

Exponent: 4

Expanded Form: 2 x 2 x 2 x 2    or    (2)(2)(2)(2).

Standard Form: 16

If a base is written without an exponent, the exponent is one.

• 3 = 3¹.
• a = a¹.
• -3 = (-3)¹.    [Note: brackets are important.]
• 4x³yx² = 4¹x³y¹x².