When you raise any number to the power of 1, the result is simply the number itself. This is because the exponent indicates how many times the base number is multiplied by itself. For example:
- If you take the number 7 and raise it to the power of 1, it is written as 71, which equals 7.
- If you consider the number 15, 151 equals 15.
- This rule applies universally, regardless of whether the base number is positive, negative, or even a fraction. For instance, (-3)1 equals -3, and (1/2)1 equals 1/2.
In essence, raising a number to the power of 1 retains its identity. This property is a fundamental principle in mathematics, which helps maintain consistency when working with exponents.
So next time you encounter a number raised to the power of 1, you can confidently say that it stays the same!