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Why exponents were invented?

Updated: 8/21/2019
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7y ago

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Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.

Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.

Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.

Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.

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13y ago
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13y ago

Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.

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7y ago

I am pretty sure that at first, positive integer exponents were invented as a convenient shortcut, to express repeated multiplication - just as multiplication (of whole numbers) is a convenient shortcut to express repeated addition.Of course, nowadays, we also use negative and fractional exponents, and they are very useful in certain situations.

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7y ago

They were invented to avoid long strings of the same number being multiplied together many times. For example 1024 = 2^10 is much neater than 2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2 and less susceptible to error.

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Related questions

Who invented the term exponents?

Rene' Descartes


Who invented properties of exponents?

Edvard Larouge


How did Archimedes introduce exponents?

Archimedes is said to have invented exponents to express very large numbers. A passage from The Sand Reckoner is offered as evidence. To say that he invented exponents is a stretch of the facts; but he was aware of the concepts involved.


How do exponents help in math?

Exponents can simplify very ugly math problems and their relation to logarithms makes them invaluable. FYI logarithms were invented before exponents.


If two exponents have the same factor or base what happens to the exponents when the exponents are multipled?

The exponents are added.


When adding numbers with exponents do you add or subtract the exponents?

you do not do anything when you add numbers with exponents. you just figure out the answer. it is only if you multiply numbers with exponents, where you add the exponents..


When adding numbers with fraction exponents do you add the exponents?

Fractional exponents follow the same rules as integral exponents. Integral exponents are numbers raised to an integer power.


When you are multiplying exponents do you only add the exponents or do you also multiply the bases?

Add the exponents


How are the laws of rational exponents similar to laws of integer exponents?

The laws of exponents work the same with rational exponents, the difference being they use fractions not integers.


Are there variables in exponents?

In algebraic equations, exponents can contain variables. They can be solved for by using logarithmic rules for exponents.


What are the rules adding and subtracting exponents?

When multiplying something with exponents, you add it. When dividing something with exponents, you subtract it.


Can you have negative exponents in the denominator?

You can have negative exponents anywhere. When they are in the denominator, they are equivalent to positive exponents in the numerator of a fraction.