To calculate what 4 raised to the power of 4 (written as 44) means, we are essentially multiplying the number 4 by itself four times. This can be expressed in mathematical terms as:
44 = 4 × 4 × 4 × 4
If we break this down step by step:
- First, calculate 4 × 4, which equals 16.
- Next, take that result (16) and multiply it by 4 again: 16 × 4 = 64.
- Finally, multiply the last result (64) by 4 one more time: 64 × 4 = 256.
Thus, 4 raised to the power of 4 equals 256. In formula form:
44 = 256
This result demonstrates how quickly exponential growth can accumulate, especially with base numbers higher than one. Therefore, understanding powers and exponents is not only essential for calculations but also illustrates fundamental concepts in mathematics and its applications in various fields.