AI Tutor
Imagine folding a piece of paper in half again and again. Every single time you fold it, the number of layers doubles!
Instead of writing 2×2×2×22 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2, we can use a handy math shortcut called a power.
How do we write down this multiplication shortcut so everyone can read it?

Base and Exponent

In a power like 232^3, the big bottom number is the base, which is the number being multiplied.
The tiny number floating up top is the exponent, which tells you how many times to repeat the multiplication.
To find the value of 232^3, we multiply three 2s together: first 2×2=42 \times 2 = 4, and then 4×2=84 \times 2 = 8.
It is easy to mix this up with regular multiplication — do you see the trap?

A Common Trap

A common mistake is multiplying the base by the exponent and thinking 23=62^3 = 6.
Remember, 2×32 \times 3 means repeated addition (2+2+2=62 + 2 + 2 = 6), but 232^3 means repeated multiplication (2×2×2=82 \times 2 \times 2 = 8).