An exponent is a number that tells how many times the base number is used as a factor. For example, 3⁴ indicates that the base number 3 is used as a factor 4 times. To determine the value of 3⁴, multiply 3*3*3*3 which would give the result 81.

If a negative number is raised to an even power, the result will be positive.
(-2)⁴ = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = 16
If a negative number is raised to an odd power, the result will be negative.
(-2)⁵ = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = -32

The negative number must be enclosed by parentheses to have the exponent apply to the negative term.
Note that (-2)⁴ = -2 * -2 * -2 * -2 = 16
and -2⁴ = -(2 * 2 * 2 * 2) = -16

Exponents are written as a superscript number (e.g. 3⁴) or preceded by the caret (^) symbol (e.g. 3^4).

Some facts about exponents:

• Zero raised to any power is zero (e.g. 0⁵ = 0)
• One raised to any power is one (e.g. 1⁵ = 1)
• Any number raised to the zero power is one (e.g. 7⁰ = 1)
• Any number raised to the first power is that number (e.g. 7¹ = 7)