The exponent tells us how many times we need to multiply base by itself.
20 736
Practice makes perfect
The expression 12^4, or 12 to the fourth power, can be written as the product of four 12 terms.
12^4 = 12*12*12*12_(4 times)
Let's find this product using a calculator. We can do so in two ways, either by calculating the power, or by writing the product. Both expressions will give us the same answer.