Exponents are a shorthand notation for writing repeated multiplication. For example lets say we want to multiply the number 4 by itself twice. We have the following problem:
4 x 4 x 4 = 64
Exponents provide an easier way to write this:
43
We read this as 4 raised to the 3rd power. The 4 in this problem is called the base, while the 3 is the exponent. Lets take a look at some more examples:
2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 25 = 32
6 x 6 = 62 = 36
5 x 5 x 5 x 5 = 54 = 625
As you can see solving exponents is as simple as multiplying.
There are 2 specific cases in which there are alternative ways to describe the exponent in words. When something is raised to the 2nd power, we say that it is squared. For example we say
72 as 7 squared. The other is when something is raised to the third power. We say it is cubed. Another example: we say
53 as 5 cubed.