In math, the exponent operator is written using superscript notation. For discrete numbers, raising a value to the -th power is the same as multiplying the base by itself times. For example, raised to the value is equal to multiplied by multiplied by as shown in the equation below.
The exponent operator models exponential growth and is related to the logarithm and radical operators.
Shown below are examples that demonstrate the result of the exponent operator for discrete numbers.
| Expression | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Expression | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Expression | Pattern |
|---|---|
The properties of the exponent operator are summarized in the table below. These properties can be used to manipulate math expressions into new forms.
| Name | Property |
|---|---|
| Zero Property | |
| Identity Property | |
| Negative Property | |
| Product Property | |
| Quotient Property | |
| Power Property | |
| Radical Property |
The exponential operator is closely related to the logarithm and radical operators. For example, given the scenario of exponential population growth, the relationship between the three operators is expressed below. Note, in this hypothetical scenario the initial population is represented with the value of .
| Equation | Operator |
|---|---|
| Exponent Given the growth rate and the time elapsed, the exponent operator returns the population. |
|
| Logarithm Given the growth rate and the population, the logarithm operator returns the time elapsed. |
|
| Radical Given the time elapsed and the population, the radical operator returns the growth rate. |