Power Launch Worksheet
Math Foundations Level 1 • Introduction
Power Launch: Basic Powers
Mastering bases, exponents, and expanded form
Name:
Date:
Period:
1
Anatomy of a Power
Study the model carefully
5 3
Read: "5 to the 3rd power"
or "5 cubed"
Base (The Big Number: 5)
The factor that is multiplied repeatedly.
Exponent (The Small Upper Number: 3)
Tells how many times to use the base as a factor.
⚠️ Common Trap: \( 5^3 \) does NOT mean \( 5 \times 3 \)! It means \( 5 \times 5 \times 5 = 125 \).
2
Worked Model: 3 Guided Steps
Step 1 • Identify
Given: \( 2^4 \)
Base = 2
Exponent = 4
Step 2 • Expand
Repeat the base
\( 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \)
(Written 4 times)
Step 3 • Evaluate
Multiply out
\( 2 \times 2 = 4 \)
\( 4 \times 2 = 8 \to 8 \times 2 = \) 16
3
Guided Practice: Identify Parts
Fill in each blank to break down the power
\( 4^3 \)
Problem 1
Base:
Exponent:
What factor repeats?
\( 7^2 \)
Problem 2
Base:
Exponent:
How many times?
\( 10^4 \)
Problem 3
Base:
Exponent:
What factor repeats?
Turn to page 2 to practice expanded form & evaluation Page 1 of 2
Power Launch • Page 2
Expanded Form & Standard Values
Name:
Part B
4
Exponential Form → Expanded Form
Write as repeated multiplication
Model: \( 3^3 \) means multiply 3 a total of 3 times:
\( 3 \times 3 \times 3 = 27 \)
- \( 6^2 \)
Hint: Multiply the base 6 by itself 2 times
Expanded Form (show factors):
×
Standard Value:
- \( 2^5 \)
Hint: Multiply 2 by itself 5 times
Expanded Form:
×
×
×
×
Standard Value:
5
Expanded Form → Exponential Form
Count the repeated factors
6. \( 9 \times 9 \times 9 \)
What is the base? How many factors?
Power:
7. \( 8 \times 8 \times 8 \times 8 \)
What is the base? How many factors?
Power:
6
Launchpad Detective: Spot the Error!
Leo wrote: \( 4^3 = 12 \)
Incorrect!
What mistake did Leo make?
Show the correct expanded form & value:
How confident are you with basic powers?
🌱 Need more practice 🚀 Getting there 🌟 Got it!
Page 2 of 2
Power Launch Answer Key
Teacher Resource Answer Key & Guide
Power Launch: Basic Powers
Complete Solutions, Scoring Points & Misconception Alerts
Standard & Focus
CCSS.MATH.6.EE.A.1
Whole-number exponents
1
Concept Mastery Look-Fors
Core Concept
5 3
\( 5 \times 5 \times 5 = \mathbf{125} \)
Look-For: Base (5)
Students must recognize that the base is the repeated factor, never the number of times it repeats.
Look-For: Exponent (3)
Students must treat the exponent purely as a counter or tally of how many times the base appears.
Intervention Tip: If students answer \( 5 \times 3 = 15 \), prompt: "Where is the multiplication sign in \( 5^3 \)? The exponent tells you how many copies to multiply!"
2
Worked Model Reference: \( 2^4 = 16 \)
Emphasize left-to-right sequential multiplication: \( (2 \times 2 = 4) \to (4 \times 2 = 8) \to (8 \times 2 = 16) \). Do not let students multiply powers all at once in their heads.
3
Section 3 Answer Key (Guided Practice)
1 pt each blank (9 pts total)
\( 4^3 \)
Problem 1
Base:
4
Exponent:
3
What factor repeats?
4
\( 7^2 \)
Problem 2
Base:
7
Exponent:
2
How many times?
2 (or 2 times)
\( 10^4 \)
Problem 3
Base:
10
Exponent:
4
What factor repeats?
10
Power Launch Answer Key • Teacher Evaluation Guide Page 1 of 2
Teacher Answer Key • Page 2
Expanded Form & Problem Solving Solutions
Total Worksheet Value: 20 Points
4
Section 4 Solutions (Exponential → Expanded)
2 pts each (1 pt expanded, 1 pt value)
- \( 6^2 \)
Read: "Six squared"
Expanded Form:
6 × 6
Standard Value:
36
- \( 2^5 \)
Read: "Two to the fifth power"
Expanded Form:
2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
Standard Value:
32
