NUMBER · GRADE 6 · ALBERTAOUTCOME AB-MAT6-A1
L2 · Order of operations: powers
Learning goal
“I can evaluate a power as repeated multiplication, and place powers in the order of operations: parentheses first, then powers, then x /, then + -.”
Power — a number written with a base and exponent, like 3^2, naming repeated multiplication.
Base — the number being multiplied, the 3 in 3^2.
Exponent — the small raised number that counts how many times the base is used as a factor: the 2 in 3^2.
Squared / cubed — the names for exponent 2 (3^2 is 'three squared') and exponent 3 (2^3 is 'two cubed').
Worked example
Evaluate 4^2 + 5. Step 1: The power is a package: 4^2 means 4 x 4 = 16. Unpack it first among the operations. Step 2: The expression is now 16 + 5 = 21. In the expression tree, 4 and 4 join with x on the power branch (value 16); that branch joins 5 with + at the top. The exponent counts copies of the base as a factor - 4^2 is NOT 4 x 2.
Check yourself — explain it
In 5^3, the exponent 3 tells us...
Paired problem — example still visible
Evaluate 2^4 -> 16 (2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16)
Faded completion — last step is yours
"10^2 - 40: the power is worth ___, so the value is ___" -> 100; 60
Ready to practise?
10 scored questions with a 3-rung hint ladder. Mastery needs 8/10 plus both gate questions.