Using an index or power
Here is a number written in index form:
2 is the base number and 4 is the index or power.
\(2^4\) is a short way of writing \(2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2\).
The power or index shows how many times a number has been multiplied by itself.
Using algebra
\(a^3\) (read as 鈥榎(a\) cubed鈥) is a short way of writing \(a \times a \times a\).
\(a\) has been multiplied by itself three times.
Similarly, \(a^2\) (read as '\(a\) squared鈥) is a short way of writing \(a \times a \).
\(a\) has been multiplied by itself.