Investigation of the 8th grade students' misconceptions about exponential numbers

The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge level and misconceptions of 8th grade students on exponential numbers. Survey method was used in this study. The sample of the study consisted of 225 students studying in 8th grade in Uşak province during the first semester of the academic year 2018-2019. The data were collected with test consisting of 17 questions required a written response and developed by the researcher. Data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis method. At the end of the research, it was found that 8th grade students have some misconception and difficulties in the determination of the value of the exponential number and understanding of the meaning of the zero force and the negative base, and in distinguishing between (-a)^n and 〖-a〗^n expression and between 〖-a〗^n and n^x expressions, and in ordering exponential numbers, and in expressing the scientific representation of exponential numbers. In addition, although the students were quite successful in the exponential representation of the positive integer, it was determined that the students made mistakes and had difficulties in arithmetic operations and exponential representations of negative integers and rational numbers.