5³ = ?

**The reasoning** 5³ means "5 to the power of 3" or "5 cubed" — you multiply 5 by itself **three times**: 5³ = 5 × 5 × 5 Let's calculate step by step: - First: 5 × 5 = 25 - Then: 25 × 5 = **125** This is the **Law of Exponents**: the small number (exponent) tells you how many times to use the base number in multiplication. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **A) 15** tricks you if you mistakenly *add* instead of multiply (5 + 5 + 5 = 15). Wrong operation! - **B) 25** catches you if you stop halfway — that's just 5 × 5, which is 5². You forgot the third multiplication. - **C) 75** tempts you if you multiply the base by the exponent (5 × 15), mixing up the rules completely. **Quick takeaway** The exponent tells you **how many times** to multiply the base by itself, not how many to add or what to multiply it by — 5³ always means 5 × 5 × 5 = 125.