Is the caret mark (^) used in the problems posed here supposed to mean MULTIPLY??? If so, why not just use a lower case x like we were taught in school? When I see the caret, I don't know if it is simple multiplicatiion or if the person wants to take a number to the umpteenth power or something.
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2007-08-15 19:26:56 · 4 answers · asked by jan51601 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
no, it always means to the power of. it's used because it frequently requires special fonts to do superscript.
i.e.
3^2=3*3
8^4=8*8*8*8
multiplication is represented by *. That is used so that you don't confuse it with a variable (like using a little x might do). x is a favorite variable of textbooks (algebra and later).
2007-08-15 19:38:15 · answer #1 · answered by contemplating 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a caret used in a mathematical expression means that the base must be multiplied by itself by the n times indicated by the exponent.. For example 3^2, 3 must be multiplied to itself twice...Thus 3^2=3*3=9
2007-08-16 02:32:58 · answer #2 · answered by ptolemy862000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No ^ is not used for multiplication at any level of teaching .
It means you have to take power
It indirectly means multiplication for example :
2^3=2*2*2
but above is not equal to 2*3
2007-08-16 02:37:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means the power of(exponents)
2007-08-16 02:31:23 · answer #4 · answered by Opps. :) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋