Calculating 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 takes a long time to write out.

So we have invented a shortcut way of writing it.

After checking that all the numbers are the same (here they are all 2s), count them up.

There are 7 here.

So, instead of writing 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, we can write 2⁷

We read 2⁷ as 2 to the power of 7 or as 2 to the 7.

Remember, to work this out we keep multiplying by 2:

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128

So 2⁷ = 128 

Be careful

This has nothing really to do with the number 7 itself.  

It is not the same as 2 x 7 = 14.  This would be the answer to 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2

Are you ready to try some questions?