The purpose of this discussion is to emphasize the similarities and differences between the rule for multiplying values with the same base and the rule for raising a value with an exponent to another power. Display these two statements for all to see, and explain that Andre and Elena were both trying to write  with a single exponent.

Ask students if they agree with either Andre or Elena. Give students time to share their reasoning with a partner before inviting students to share their thinking with the class. Record student responses for all to see. Consider asking the following questions for discussion:

• “How are these statements the same? How are they different?” (Both statements are attempting to write as a number with a single exponent. The first statement uses the rule for multiplying values with the same base while the second statement tries to use the rule for raising a value with an exponent to another power.)
• “How can the second statement be corrected to make it true?” (When raising a value with an exponent to another power, the two exponents can be multiplied together, giving .)
• “How can be written with exponents instead of repeated multiplication?” ()