Virginia SOL Math / Grade 6 / Number & Number Sense

6.NS.3

Exponents & Perfect Squares

What you'll learn

  • Write and evaluate numbers in exponential form
  • Identify perfect squares
  • Represent patterns using exponents

Words to know

Base —
the number being multiplied by itself
Exponent —
how many times the base is used as a factor
Power —
a base raised to an exponent, like 2 to the 3rd
Perfect square —
a number that is the square of a whole number, like 9
Squared —
raised to the exponent 2

Why it matters Exponents give us a short way to write repeated multiplication, which shows up in area, growth, and computer memory.

Worked examples

Model ItI do

Write 2 times 2 times 2 in exponential form and find its value.

The base 2 is used as a factor 3 times, so we write 2 to the 3rd power. Its value is 2 times 2 times 2 = 8.

Try It TogetherWe do

Is 36 a perfect square? Explain.

A perfect square is a whole number times itself. Since 6 times 6 = 36, the number 36 is a perfect square equal to 6 squared.

Now YouYou do

Find the value of 5 squared.

Multiply the base by itself. Check your answer in the back of this chapter.

Practice

Mastered 0 of 11

Warm-up

Ease in with the basics.

  1. 1.Write 5 times 5 in exponential form.

  2. 2.Find the value of 2^3.

  3. 3.Is 16 a perfect square? Yes or no.

On Level

The core Quick Check from the book.

  1. 1.Write 3 times 3 times 3 times 3 in exponential form.

  2. 2.Find the value of 4 to the 3rd power.

  3. 3.Is 20 a perfect square? Yes or no.

  4. 4.Find the value of 10 squared.

  5. 5.What perfect square equals 49?

Challenge

Stretch your thinking.

  1. 1.Find the value of 3^4.

  2. 2.What whole number squared equals 144?

  3. 3.Which is greater, 2^5 or 5^2?