Powers of a number, step by step
Once squares and cubes feel automatic, a power can carry any exponent.
The question
5²
5²
5²=5 × 5
5²=5 × 5
5 × 5=25
- The small number is a COUNT, not something to multiply by. 5² does not mean 5 × 2 — it means how many 5s to multiply together.
- So write it out: 2 5s multiplied together — 5 × 5.
- Now it is just multiplying: 5 × 5 = 25.
How it works.
- 01
The small number is a COUNT, not something to multiply by. 5² does not mean 5 × 2 — it means how many 5s to multiply together.
- 02
So write it out: 2 5s multiplied together — 5 × 5.
- 03
Now it is just multiplying: 5 × 5 = 25.