Power in math - Definition and examples

In math, a power is the answer that you get when you multiply a number by itself. This answer can also be called a product.

For example, the answers that you get for multiplying 5 x 2 x 3 x 6 and 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 are called products. However, when the numbers in the multiplication are the same such as in 5 x 5 x 5 x 5, we call the answer for 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 a power instead of a product.

625 is the answer or power. Since 625 is also equal to 5⁴ and 5 x 5 x 5 x 5, it is OK to call 5 x 5 x 5 x 5 and 5⁴ powers as well.

Therefore, 5⁴ is a power and you read the expression 5⁴ as " five to the fourth power."

More examples of power in math

1. 3⁵

2. (-2)¹⁰

3. (4x)³

4. (2x + 1)²