GCSE Mathematics · key term

Power notation

Definition

A shortened way to show repeated multiplication; for example, $2^4$ means $2\times2\times2\times2$ .

Used by OCR

Specification 1.02b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher), Paper 5 (Higher), Paper 6 (Higher)

Power notation makes a prime factorisation compact. The base is the repeated prime factor and the index tells you how many times it occurs.
Revise: Prime Factorisation

1
If the question asks for a product of prime factors, write a multiplication rather than a list, and use power notation when factors repeat.

Create a free account to read GCSE Mathematics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.

GCSE Mathematics · key term

A shortened way to show repeated multiplication; for example, $2^4$ means $2\times2\times2\times2$ .

Used by OCR

Specification 1.02b · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher), Paper 5 (Higher), Paper 6 (Higher)

Power notation makes a prime factorisation compact. The base is the repeated prime factor and the index tells you how many times it occurs.
Revise: Prime Factorisation

1
If the question asks for a product of prime factors, write a multiplication rather than a list, and use power notation when factors repeat.

Create a free account to read GCSE Mathematics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.