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Intro to Exponents

Mike McGarry
Lesson by Mike McGarry
Magoosh Expert
Summary
The segment provides a foundational understanding of exponents and powers, crucial for mastering GMAT math problems.
  • Exponents are a compact way to express repeated multiplication, similar to how multiplication simplifies repeated addition.
  • The base 'b' raised to the power of 'n' (b^n) signifies 'n' factors of 'b' multiplied together, with 'n' being a positive integer in this context.
  • Understanding the behavior of exponents with different bases, including 1, 0, and negative numbers, is essential for solving algebraic equations.
  • Certain properties of exponents, such as a negative base raised to an even power resulting in a positive number, are pivotal for equation solving.
  • Memorizing the powers of single-digit numbers up to a certain extent is recommended for efficient problem-solving.
Chapters
00:00
Understanding Exponents
02:40
Properties of Exponents
05:59
Solving Equations with Exponents
07:00
Memorizing Powers for the GMAT