It means that 5m is being multiplied by itself thrice. What does the exponent of 3 tell us in ( 5m) 3? What is the base of that exponent? Now take a look at this algebraic expression: (5 m) 3 Hence, the base of the exponent 3 in 5m 3is m only and not 5m. If you look closely at 5 m 3, the variable m is the only one raised to the power of 3, and 5 is not included. Now, what does the exponent of 3 tell us in 5 m 3? What is the base of that exponent? Recall that 5 is the numerical coefficient of m 3since it is a number multiplied by a variable.
Take a look at this algebraic expression: 5 m 3 U ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u = u 6 Variables With Coefficients Solution: Note that the variable u is used six times. Thus, the expanded form of k 5 is:Įxample 2: Express u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u ∙ u in exponential form. Solution: The exponent in k 5 tells us that the variable k is multiplied by itself five times. Note: As shown above, the solid dot is an alternative way to express multiplication.
In other words, it tells us that m is multiplied thrice. The exponent in m 3 tells us that the variable m is raised to the power of 3. The variable’s exponent tells you how many times it is being multiplied by itself. When a variable has an exponent, the variable is raised to a specific power.
