Describe how to find the value of 2 to the 9th power without multiplying nine 2's together?

Multiply 4x4x4x4x2 which equals the same as 2 to the ninth power

Well, let's see.

When you need to multiply two numbers that are both powers of the same

base, that's the same as just adding the exponents. So for this problem,

you could use that idea backwards.

2^9 could be the product of (2^4) times (2^5).

- - Multiply 2 together 4 times. (16)

- - Multiply 2 together 5 times. (32)

- - Then multiply those two numbers. (16 x 32 = 512)

- - 512 is 2^9 and you didn't have to multiply nine 2s together.

(Maybe you saved yourself some effort, but you didn't save ME any.)