here is some introduction.
A common
language is needed in order to communicate mathematical ideas clearly and
efficiently. Exponential notation is one example. It was
developed to write repeated multiplication more efficiently. For example, growth
occurs in living organisms by the division of cells. One type of cell divides 2
times in an hour. So in 12 hours, the cell will divide 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2
• 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 times. This can be written more efficiently as
212.
