Write each problem in expanded form 1) \( 3^{4} \)

To express \( 3^{4} \) in expanded form, think of it as multiplying the base, 3, by itself, four times. So, it can be written as \( 3 \times 3 \times 3 \times 3 \). This breakdown vividly illustrates how exponents are just a shorthand way of saying "multiply this number by itself a certain number of times." Another way to expand \( 3^{4} \) is to evaluate it step by step. First, calculate \( 3 \times 3 \), which equals 9. Then, take that result and multiply it by 3 again to get 27, and finally multiply 27 by 3 one more time, giving you 81. So, \( 3^{4} \) expanded not just shows the multiplication, but also leads you to the answer, 81!