Skill: Recognize powers of 10

A power of $(10)$ shows how many times to multiply $(10)$ by itself. The small raised number is the exponent.

For positive whole-number exponents:

• $(10^1=10)$: one factor of $(10)$
• $(10^2=10\times10=100)$: two factors of $(10)$
• $(10^3=10\times10\times10=1{,}000)$: three factors of $(10)$

The exponent also tells you how many zeros come after the $1$.

Example: Find $(10^4)$.

1. The exponent is $4$, so use four factors of $(10)$:

$$10^4=10\times10\times10\times10$$

2. Count four zeros after the $1$:

$$10^4=10{,}000$$

So, $\boxed{10^4=10{,}000}$.

Remember: for a positive whole-number power of $(10)$, the exponent tells you the number of zeros.