Squares and powers, step by step

An exponent is a shorthand for repeated multiplication.

The question

=7 × 7
=7 × 7
7 × 7=49
  1. The small number is a COUNT, not something to multiply by. 7² does not mean 7 × 2 — it means how many 7s to multiply together.
  2. So write it out: 2 7s multiplied together — 7 × 7.
  3. Now it is just multiplying: 7 × 7 = 49.

How it works.

  1. 01

    The small number is a COUNT, not something to multiply by. 7² does not mean 7 × 2 — it means how many 7s to multiply together.

  2. 02

    So write it out: 2 7s multiplied together — 7 × 7.

  3. 03

    Now it is just multiplying: 7 × 7 = 49.