I know each of these two things isn't exactly true. But I'm struggling as to how to discuss exponents with my class (early high school, skill level from quite below grade level to at grade level) without at least starting off with the "erroneous" concept.
I don't want to tell these kids untruths, but I do want them to be introduced to this concept in a way they can handle.
Any thoughts? Is it better if I at least say "exponentiation can be usefully thought of as repeated addition", and toss in a little disclaimer?
I don't want to tell these kids untruths, but I do want them to be introduced to this concept in a way they can handle.
Any thoughts? Is it better if I at least say "exponentiation can be usefully thought of as repeated addition", and toss in a little disclaimer?
Multiplication as Repeated Addition, Exponentiation as Repeated Multiplication