A^n

Definition

The term $a^n$ represents the exponent notation, where $a$ is the base and $n$ is the exponent. This notation is used to express repeated multiplication of the base $a$ by itself $n$ times.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The expression $a^n$ can be interpreted as the product of $n$ factors, each of which is equal to $a$.
2. When the exponent $n$ is a positive integer, $a^n$ represents the repeated multiplication of the base $a$ by itself $n$ times.
3. If the exponent $n$ is zero, then $a^0 = 1$, regardless of the value of the base $a$.
4. Negative exponents represent the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive value of the exponent, i.e., $a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$.
5. Fractional exponents, such as $a^{\frac{1}{2}}$, represent the $n$-th root of the base $a$, where $n$ is the denominator of the fraction.

Review Questions

• Explain the meaning of the expression $a^n$ and how it relates to the multiplication of the base $a$.
  • The expression $a^n$ represents the exponent notation, where $a$ is the base and $n$ is the exponent. This notation is used to express the repeated multiplication of the base $a$ by itself $n$ times. For example, $3^4$ means that the base 3 is multiplied by itself 4 times, resulting in the value 81 (3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 81). The exponent $n$ indicates the number of times the base is multiplied, and the expression $a^n$ can be interpreted as the product of $n$ factors, each of which is equal to $a$.
• Describe the properties of exponents, including the cases when the exponent is zero, negative, or a fraction.
  • The properties of exponents include: 1. When the exponent $n$ is a positive integer, $a^n$ represents the repeated multiplication of the base $a$ by itself $n$ times. 2. If the exponent $n$ is zero, then $a^0 = 1$, regardless of the value of the base $a$. 3. Negative exponents represent the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive value of the exponent, i.e., $a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$. 4. Fractional exponents, such as $a^{\frac{1}{2}}$, represent the $n$-th root of the base $a$, where $n$ is the denominator of the fraction.
• Explain how the term $a^n$ is used in the context of the multiplication properties of exponents and how it can be applied to simplify expressions involving exponents.
  • The term $a^n$ is a fundamental component of the multiplication properties of exponents, which are used to simplify expressions involving exponents. These properties include: 1. $a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}$: The product of two powers with the same base is the base raised to the sum of the exponents. 2. $(a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n}$: The power of a power is the base raised to the product of the exponents. 3. $\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}$: The quotient of two powers with the same base is the base raised to the difference of the exponents. By applying these properties, the term $a^n$ can be used to simplify complex expressions involving exponents, making it a crucial concept in the context of the multiplication properties of exponents.

Related terms

Base:

The base, $a$, is the number or variable that is being raised to a power.

Exponent:

The exponent, $n$, represents the number of times the base is multiplied by itself.

Exponential Function: A function of the form $f(x) = a^x$, where $a$ is the base and $x$ is the variable.