Power

Definition

Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. It is the measure of the strength or force behind an action and is a fundamental concept in mathematics, physics, and various scientific disciplines.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The power of a number is represented by an exponent, which indicates how many times the base number is multiplied by itself.
2. Exponents can be used to express very large or very small numbers in scientific notation, which is a more concise and convenient way of representing these values.
3. The multiplication properties of exponents allow for the simplification and manipulation of expressions with the same base, making calculations more efficient.
4. Raising a power to a power, or taking the power of a power, involves multiplying the exponents together.
5. Dividing powers with the same base involves subtracting the exponents, as long as the bases are the same.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of power is used in the context of multiplication properties of exponents.
  • The concept of power is central to the multiplication properties of exponents. Exponents represent the power to which a number is raised, and the properties of exponents allow for the simplification and manipulation of expressions involving powers. For example, the property $a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}$ allows you to multiply powers with the same base by adding the exponents. This is a powerful tool for working with expressions containing exponents and simplifying complex calculations.
• Describe how the concept of power is used in the context of scientific notation.
  • The concept of power is essential in the representation of very large or very small numbers using scientific notation. In scientific notation, a number is expressed as a product of a number between 1 and 10, and a power of 10. The power of 10 represents the magnitude of the number, effectively scaling it up or down. For example, the number 6,000,000 can be written in scientific notation as $6 \times 10^6$, where the exponent 6 represents the power of 10 by which the base number 6 is multiplied. This concise representation of large or small numbers is made possible by the understanding and application of the concept of power.
• Analyze how the properties of power can be used to simplify expressions involving integer exponents.
  • The properties of power, such as the rule for raising a power to a power ($a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n}$) and the rule for dividing powers with the same base ($a^m / a^n = a^{m-n}$), can be used to simplify complex expressions involving integer exponents. By applying these properties, you can reduce the number of steps required to evaluate or manipulate expressions, making calculations more efficient and easier to understand. Understanding the underlying concept of power and how it relates to exponents is crucial for effectively working with and simplifying expressions containing integer exponents.

Related terms

Exponent:

An exponent is a mathematical notation that represents the power to which a number or variable is raised.

Scientific Notation:

Scientific notation is a way of expressing very large or very small numbers as a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10.

Multiplication Properties of Exponents: The multiplication properties of exponents are a set of rules that govern how exponents can be manipulated when multiplying or dividing expressions with the same base.