Example: The daytime temperature in the city of Denver was 6° below zero (−6°). An airplane is cruising at 15,000 feet above Denver. The temperature at 15,000 feet is 20° colder than in the city of Denver. What is the temperature at 15,000 feet?

The temperature is −26°, or 26° below zero at 15,000 feet above the city.

The product of two positive numbers is always positive. The product of two negative numbers is always positive. The product of a positive and a negative number is always negative.

The quotient of two positive numbers is always positive. The quotient of two negative numbers is always positive. The quotient of a positive and negative number is always negative.

The power (or exponent) of a number is a shorthand method of indicating how many times a number, called the base, is multiplied by itself. For example, 34 is read as “3 to the power of 4.” That is, 3 multiplied by itself 4 times. The 3 is the base and 4 is the power.

Read “two to the third power equals 8.”

Read “ten to the fifth power equals 100,000.”

When a number has a power of 2, it is commonly referred to as “squared.” For example, 72 is read as “seven squared” or “seven to the second power.” To remember this, think about how a square has two dimensions: length and width.

When a number has a power of 3, it is commonly referred to as “cubed.” For example, 73 is read as “seven cubed” or “seven to the third power.” To remember this, think about how a cube has three dimensions: length, width, and depth.