Reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes
How to express 4 to the power of 2?
Answer: 4 to the power of 2 is 16
When we talk about '4 to the power of 2,' we are referring to an exponentiation operation. In this case, the base is 4 and the exponent is 2, meaning we multiply the base by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent. This is a fundamental concept in mathematics and is often encountered in arithmetic, algebra, and more advanced fields.
Methods
Math Tutor Explanation Using Multiplication Method
Exponentiation can be thought of as repeated multiplication. With a base of 4 and exponent of 2, you multiply 4 by itself one time.
Step 1: Step 1: Write the expression as 4 × 4
Step 2: Step 2: Multiply 4 by 4 to get 16
Math Tutor Explanation Using Exponential Notation
The exponent tells you how many times to use the base as a factor.
Step 1: Step 1: Recognize that 4 to the power of 2 can be written as 4^2
Step 2: Step 2: Understand that this means 4 is multiplied by itself, yielding 16
Step 1:
Step 2:
Math Tutor suggests: Practice More Problems with Exponents and Powers
Strengthen your understanding of exponents and powers with these related math exercises.
FAQ on Exponents and Powers
What does 'to the power of' mean?
It means multiplying the base number by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent.
Is 4 to the power of 2 the same as 2 to the power of 4?
No, 4^2 is 16, while 2^4 is also 16 in this particular case, but this is not always true for other numbers.
How do you read 4^2 aloud?
You say 'four to the second power' or 'four squared.'
What is the difference between 4^2 and 2^4?
4^2 is 4 × 4 = 16, and 2^4 is 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 16. While the result is the same here, swapping bases and exponents usually gives different results.
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