How to use this sheet

  • Have the child write a power out in full the first few times: 2 to the 3 is 2 × 2 × 2.
  • For each rule, show it with expanded powers before using the rule: 2² × 2³ is five 2s multiplied.
  • For negative exponents, use a pattern: 2³, 2², 2¹, 2⁰, then halve again for 2⁻¹.

Common mistakes

  • Multiplying the base by the exponent, so 2³ becomes 6. It is 2 × 2 × 2, which is 8.
  • Multiplying the exponents when multiplying powers with the same base. Add them: 2² × 2³ = 2⁵.
  • Thinking a negative exponent makes a negative number, so 2⁻¹ is −2. It is 1/2.
  • Thinking any number to the power 0 is 0. It is 1.

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