Directions
Each level in Circle of Friends is 4 times larger than the one before:
Level 1: 4
Level 2: 4 × 4
Level 3: 4 × 4 × 4
As a short way to write these repeated multiplications of the same number, we use exponents. Exponents tell us quickly how many times a number is multiplied by itself. Exponents are small numbers, called superscripts, written to the right and slightly above the number to be multiplied.
The exponent 2 tells us to multiply two 4’s: 4 x 4 = 4²
Here’s the Circle of Friends pattern written in exponents:
Level 1: 4 = 4¹ = 4
Level 2: 4 × 4 = 4² = 16
Level 3: 4 × 4 × 4 = 4³ = 64
When a number is written with exponents, it is in exponential form.