Reviewed by Rachelle Bencio Yu
What is 2 to the 8th power?
Answer: 2 to the 8th power is 256
The phrase '2 to the 8th power' refers to an exponential expression where the base number, 2, is multiplied by itself a total of 8 times. Exponents are a way to represent repeated multiplication concisely, and they play a fundamental role in many areas of mathematics, including algebra, science, and computer science.
Methods
Math Tutor Explanation Using the Repeated Multiplication Method
To calculate an exponent like 2 to the 8th power, multiply the base by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent.
Step 1: Write out the multiplication: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
Step 2: Multiply the numbers sequentially: 2 × 2 = 4, 4 × 2 = 8, 8 × 2 = 16, and so forth
Math Tutor Explanation Using Powers of Two Doubling Method
Powers of 2 can be quickly calculated by doubling the previous power. Start from 1 and double 8 times.
Step 1: Begin with 1, then double it: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256
Step 2: Count each doubling until you reach the 8th doubling, which gives 256
Step 1:
Step 2:
Math Tutor suggests: Practice More Exponents and Powers
Strengthen your understanding of exponents and practice with these related math questions on calculating powers and exponents.
FAQ on Exponents and Powers
What does '2 to the 8th power' mean?
It means multiplying 2 by itself 8 times.
How is 2 to the 8th power used in real life?
It's commonly used in computer science for calculating bytes and memory since 256 is a standard data size.
Is there a shortcut to calculating exponents?
Yes, you can use the doubling method for powers of 2, or a calculator for larger exponents.
What is the base and exponent in '2 to the 8th power'?
2 is the base, and 8 is the exponent.
What is 2 to the 0 power?
Any non-zero number to the 0 power equals 1.
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