Word Problems Involving Powers

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

Instructions: Read each problem carefully. Show your working and write your answer in the space provided.

1. A bacteria colony doubles every hour. If there are initially 5 bacteria, how many bacteria will there be after 6 hours? (Write your answer as a power, then calculate the total.)

Power expression: _____________________________

Working:

_____________________________

_____________________________

Answer: _____________________________ bacteria

2. A square computer screen has a side length of 2⁴ centimetres. What is the area of the screen in square centimetres?

Working:

_____________________________

_____________________________

Answer: _____________________________ cm²

3. A company's profits triple each year. If they made $2,000 in the first year, how much profit will they make in the 4th year? (Express as a power first.)

Power expression: _____________________________

Working:

_____________________________

_____________________________

Answer: $_____________________________

4. A cube has edges that are 5 cm long. What is the volume of the cube? (Remember: Volume = side × side × side)

Power expression: _____________________________

Working:

_____________________________

Answer: _____________________________ cm³

5. A chain letter is sent to 4 people. Each of those people sends it to 4 more people, and this continues for 3 rounds. How many people receive the letter in the 3rd round?

Power expression: _____________________________

Working:

_____________________________

Answer: _____________________________ people

6. A video goes viral on social media. On the first day, 10 people view it. Each day after that, the number of viewers is multiplied by 10. How many people will view it on the 5th day?

Power expression: _____________________________

Working:

_____________________________

Answer: _____________________________ people