The term powers is most often used in mathematics to mean the product obtained by multiplying a number by itself one or more times. For instance, four (2 x 2), eight (2 x 2 x 2), and sixteen (2 x 2 x 2 x 2) are all powers of 2. A compact notation has been developed to represent powers, and is of the form aⁿ, where 'a' is the basis and 'n' the exponent. This notation means that the number a is to be multiplied by itself 'n' (whole number) times; and aⁿ is said to be the "nth power of a". If a = 3 and n = 4, then "3⁴ = 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 81", so 81 is a power of 3. Power is also used to mean the exponent of a basis. In the expression 3⁴, three is said to be raised to the fourth power. So for the general expression aⁿ, the term power can be used to mean either the...