Hi Lynet,
Let's start with 16. The 18 x 18 x 18 bird cage.
The area of the bird case would be equal to the length x width x height, or
Area = 18 x 18 x 18
but, since any number times itself can be expressed as an exponent, 18 multiplied by itself three times is the same as 18 cubed:
Area = 18^3
The little carot thingie "^" is the exponent sign -- it just means that the the exponent is written as a tiny number above and to the right of the other number.
The actual area would equal 18 x 18 x 18 (plug it into a calculator) and it would equal 5,832 cubic units.
Now, question 17.
Pounds = 2^8
That's the same as the number 2 multiplied by itself eight times:
2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 2^8
If you plug this into a calculator, this would equal 256 pounds.
Hope this helps!
Good luck
