Introduction and general help regarding powers

[Harrison01]

Hi there, Good evening all.

Ok, I've just started my HNC in electrical engineering (1 month in via open learning)and to be honest, I'm struggling. I understand all the concepts of the equations regarding bending moments, shear force diagrams etc but i can't seem to get to grip with the equations.. I have a level maths but i achieved this 8-9 years ago so I'm after a bit of directional help.

Q1, what or how is the best way to write to the 'poer minus 4' ( the minus sign up in the air)?
Q2, Can anyone explain to me in simple terms the best way to understand poers e.g. 1mm4=(1x10^3)4=1x10^12M

Also if there is any good reading material out there that may be useful please point me in the right direction. Much appreciated.

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi Harrison01! Welcome to PF!

Q1, what or how is the best way to write to the 'poer minus 4' ( the minus sign up in the air)?

first, there's a "w" in there … "powers" (rhymes with "hours")

"x to the minus 4"

"x^-4"

"1/x⁴"

Q2, Can anyone explain to me in simple terms the best way to understand poers e.g. 1mm4=(1x10^3)4=1x10^12M

do you mean "one milllimetre"? that's 0.001 m, or 10^-3 m

if you want that to the 4th power, that's (10^-3 m)⁴,=10^-12 m⁴

("m⁴" is like "s²", it's a maths thing, it doesn't mean anything you can draw)

 

[Harrison01]

cheers for the reply tim,

1mm=0.001M=10-3

But what is the best way to write to the minus 3. is there a common symbol as i can't get the - to go higher than the norm..

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Harrison01!

But what is the best way to write to the minus 3. is there a common symbol as i can't get the - to go higher than the norm..

on this forum, you can use the X² button just above the reply box,

([NOPARSE]or type 10-3[/NOPARSE])

alternatively, write 1/10³ ​

 

[alphy]

As a scientist with a background in electrical engineering, I understand the challenges you may be facing in grasping the equations and concepts related to powers. It can be overwhelming to revisit mathematical concepts after a long period of time, but with practice and guidance, you can surely overcome this challenge.

To answer your first question, the best way to write "power minus 4" is to use the exponent notation, which is represented by a superscript. For example, "power minus 4" can be written as P^-4.

In simple terms, powers are a way to represent repeated multiplication of a number by itself. For instance, 1mm^4 means that 1mm is multiplied by itself 4 times, resulting in a very large number (1x10^12). This is often used in scientific notation to represent very large or very small numbers in a more compact form.

To improve your understanding of powers, I would suggest practicing with various examples and also seeking guidance from your course materials or instructors. Additionally, there are many online resources and textbooks available that can provide a more in-depth explanation of powers and their applications in electrical engineering.

I wish you all the best in your studies and hope that this response has provided some helpful insights. Keep practicing and don't hesitate to seek help when needed. Good luck!