i'm in College, almost 60 yrs old, havin a lot of trouble with exponents, can anyone give me some tips? thanks

Question

I'm good in basic Math, but we are just beginning into the exponents, nothing too deep yet,but if I don't "get it" I can't go on to the next level of in the math classes. I need the Associate degree to stay on my job, plus we will be making "more money". help!

I'm good in basic Math, but we are just beginning into the exponents, nothing too deep yet,but if I don't "get it" I can't go on the next degree of the math classes. I need the degree to keep my job and the money is supposed to be much more. please help

Answer 1

It's pretty straightforward. If you have an expression like x^2, it means you multiply x by itself twice - x*x. If you have x^4, you multiply x by itself 4 times - x*x*x*x.

If you have a negative exponent, it's the same thing as making it 1/ the exponent:

x^(-3) = 1 / (x^3)

If you want to get x by itself, you take the inverse exponent of the other variable.

a = x^3 becomes a^(1/3) = x

If you need to get rid of the exponent, take the logarithm.

a = x^3 becomes log(a) = 3 * log(x)

Hope that helps!