Raising a number to a specified power, also known as exponentiation, is a fundamental operation in mathematics. In this article, we will describe the steps necessary to calculate a number raised to the power of 4, making it easy for you to perform this operation without the need for a calculator.

Step 1: Understand the Concept

The first step in calculating a number raised to the power of 4 is understanding what it means. A number ‘a’ raised to the power ‘n’ can be represented as a^n. In this case, ‘a’ is the base and ‘n’ represents the exponent.

When raising a number to an exponent, we’re simply multiplying that number by itself as many times as the exponent suggests. So when calculating a^4, we will multiply ‘a’ by itself four times:

a^4 = a × a × a × a

Step 2: Choose Your Number

Now that you understand the concept behind raising a number to an exponent, choose your base (the number you want to raise to the power of 4).

For example, let’s calculate 3^4. In this instance, our base (a) is equal to 3.

Step 3: Perform Multiplication

Next, multiply your chosen number (in our example, 3) by itself four times:

3^4 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3

Performing the multiplication:

3 x 3 = 9

9 x 3 = 27

27 x 3 =81

After solving these calculations, we find that:

3^4 = 81

So, when raising the number 3 to the power of 4, we find that our result is equal to 81.

In conclusion, calculating a number raised to the power of 4 is simple once you understand the concept and apply the process of multiplication. This method can also be applied to numbers raised to other powers by simply adjusting the number of times you multiply the base by itself. With practice, you’ll be able to calculate exponents with ease, even without a calculator at hand!