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Algebra

Exponents and Logarithms

What is a base in algebra?

The base is used in algebra in connection with powers. In fact, it is called the base of a power—or the number that is used as a factor a given number of times. In the example above, 34, 3 is the base. The base can either be the number used with an exponent to create a power, such as the 3 in 34; or a number written as a subscript, such as with a logarithm, for example, logax, in which a is the base number. (See below for more information about logarithms; for more information about bases, see “Math Basics”).



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