ASVAB · Exponents and Roots

What is the value of 2⁵ (2 to the 5th power)?

Correct answer

32

  1. A 64
  2. B 25
  3. C 32
  4. D 10

Why this is the answer

2⁵ means 2 multiplied by itself 5 times: 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 32. ASVAB Mathematics Knowledge tests exponents. Work step by step: 2×2=4, ×2=8, ×2=16, ×2=32.

Common error: confusing 2⁵ with 2 × 5 = 10 — an exponent means repeated MULTIPLICATION, not multiplying the base by the exponent. Powers of 2 to memorize: 2¹=2, 2²=4, 2³=8, 2⁴=16, 2⁵=32, 2⁶=64. Recognizing common powers speeds up the test.

Source: ASVAB Mathematics Knowledge — Exponents

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About this topic: Exponents and Roots

Exponents and roots questions cover the laws of exponents (adding when multiplying, multiplying when raising a power to a power), negative and zero exponents, scientific notation, and simplifying square roots. This is one of 10 Mathematics Knowledge questions on exponents and roots, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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