What an exponent does
The exponent says how many times the base is used as a factor. 2 to the power 10 is ten twos multiplied together, which is 1024.
An exponent of 1 leaves the base unchanged, and an exponent of 0 gives 1 for any base except zero.
Negative exponents
A negative exponent means one over the positive power. 2 to the power -3 is 1/8, which is 0.125.
That is why the calculator also shows the answer as one over the result.
Worked example
2 to the power 10 is 1024, and its reciprocal is 0.0009765625.
3 to the power 4 is 81. Powers grow much faster than the base, so doubling the base does not double the answer.
Inputs for the exponents calculator
Base
The number being multiplied by itself. It can be negative.
Exponent
How many times the base is used as a factor. A negative exponent gives a fraction.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
Exponents calculator questions
What is 2 to the power 10?
1024. Ten twos multiplied together give 1024.
What does a negative exponent mean?
It means one divided by the positive power, so 2 to the power -3 is 1/8.
What is anything to the power 0?
1, except zero to the power zero, which is undefined.
Is exponent the same as index?
Yes. US courses say exponent and UK schools say index or power.