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In mathematics, exponentiation, denoted b n, is an operation involving two numbers: the base, b, and the exponent or power, n. [1] When n is a positive integer, exponentiation corresponds to repeated multiplication of the base: that is, b n is the product of multiplying n bases: [1] = ⏟.
A formal expression is a kind of string of symbols, created by the same production rules as standard expressions, however, they are used without regard to the meaning of the expression. In this way, two formal expressions are considered equal only if they are syntactically equal, that is, if they are the exact same expression.
Calculators may associate exponents to the left or to the right. For example, the expression a^b^c is interpreted as a (b c) on the TI-92 and the TI-30XS MultiView in "Mathprint mode", whereas it is interpreted as (a b) c on the TI-30XII and the TI-30XS MultiView in "Classic mode".
It is also the form that is required when using tables of common logarithms. In normalized notation, the exponent n is negative for a number with absolute value between 0 and 1 (e.g. 0.5 is written as 5 × 10 −1). The 10 and exponent are often omitted when the exponent is 0.
Algebraic notation describes the rules and conventions for writing mathematical expressions, as well as the terminology used for talking about parts of expressions. For example, the expression + has the following components: Algebraic expression notation: 1 – power (exponent) 2 – coefficient 3 – term
Rather than using the ambiguous division sign (÷), [a] division is usually represented with a vinculum, a horizontal line, as in 3 / x + 1 . In plain text and programming languages, a slash (also called a solidus) is used, e.g. 3 / (x + 1). Exponents are usually formatted using superscripts, as in x 2.
Modular exponentiation can be performed with a negative exponent e by finding the modular multiplicative inverse d of b modulo m using the extended Euclidean algorithm. That is: c = b e mod m = d −e mod m, where e < 0 and b ⋅ d ≡ 1 (mod m). Modular exponentiation is efficient to compute, even for very large integers.
Simplification is the process of replacing a mathematical expression by an equivalent one that is simpler (usually shorter), according to a well-founded ordering. Examples include: Simplification of algebraic expressions, in computer algebra; Simplification of boolean expressions i.e. logic optimization