To express 3 raised to the power of 2, we write it as 32. This notation indicates that we are multiplying the number 3 by itself a total of 2 times.
In simpler terms, when we calculate 32, we can break it down like this:
- 32 = 3 × 3
When we perform this multiplication:
- 3 × 3 = 9
Therefore, 3 raised to the power of 2 equals 9. This mathematical expression is part of a broader concept known as exponentiation, where the base is multiplied by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent (in this case, 2).
Exponentiation is a fundamental operation in mathematics and is commonly used in various fields, such as algebra, physics, and computer science. Understanding how to express and compute exponents like this is crucial for solving more complex mathematical problems!