The exponential notation (sometimes called the "scientific" notation) greatly simplifies calculations, particularly with very large and very small numbers. It uses positive and negative exponents to create multiples and submultiples of 10:
- 4 raised to the power of 2 is written $4^2$ = 16.
- 3 raised to the power of 3 is written $(3)^3$ = 27. This is calculated as (3 x 3 x 3) = 27
- 0 raised to the 0 power ($0^0$) the answer is 1, thus $0^0 = 1$. Generally, any number raised to the zeroth power equals one.