Exponent Calculator
An exponent says how many times to multiply a number by itself: 2⁵ = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 32. This also handles zero, negative and fractional powers.
Answer
2^10
Step by step
- Multiply 2 by itself 10 times: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 1,024.
Answer: 1,024
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How it works
a⁰ = 1a⁻ⁿ = 1 / aⁿa^(p/q) = (q-th root of a)ᵖaᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿWhole-number exponents are repeated multiplication. Watch the sign: (−3)² = 9 but −3² = −9, because the exponent applies before the minus unless there are brackets.
A negative exponent flips the number into a fraction: 2⁻³ = 1/8.
A fractional exponent is a root: 9^(1/2) = √9 = 3, and 8^(2/3) = (∛8)² = 4.
Multiplying powers of the same base adds exponents; dividing subtracts them; a power of a power multiplies them.
Worked example
Work out 2⁻³.
- Negative exponent → 1 / 2³
- 2³ = 8
- 2⁻³ = 1/8 = 0.125
Frequently asked questions
Why is anything to the power of 0 equal to 1?
Each step down in the exponent divides by the base: 2³ = 8, 2² = 4, 2¹ = 2, so 2⁰ = 2 ÷ 2 = 1.
How do I enter a fractional exponent?
Type it as a fraction, like 1/2 for a square root or 2/3.