Power Match: an exponents matching game
Match each power or root with its value, from 2⁵ to √144 and 4.5 × 10³. A free exponents matching game for any device. Grades 5–8.
🧒 Kids: Turn over 2 cards. Find a power and its answer, like 2⁵ and 32. Find all the pairs!
How to play
- Choose what to match (powers, squares and roots, powers of 10 or exponent rules) and how many pairs (6, 8 or 10).
- Press Deal the cards. All cards start face down.
- Turn over two cards. If one is a power and the other is its value, like 2⁵ and 32, they stay face up.
- If they don’t match, they turn back over. Remember where they were!
- Find every pair in as few moves as you can.
What your child practices
Matching slows children down just enough to work each power out carefully. The settings practice powers (6.EE.A.1), squares and roots (8.EE.A.2), powers of 10 and numbers like 4.5 × 10³ (5.NBT.A.2 and 8.EE.A.3), and the exponent rules (8.EE.A.1). Every value in a game is different, so each card has exactly one partner.
Which setting to choose
| Setting | Example | Good for | Learn it first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powers | 3⁴ and 81 | Grade 6 | what is an exponent |
| Squares and roots | √81 and 9, or 13² and 169 | Grades 6–8 | square numbers |
| Powers of 10 | 4.5 × 10³ and 4,500 | Grades 5–8 | powers of 10 |
| Exponent rules | 2³ × 2⁴ and 2⁷ | Grade 8 | exponent rules |
Grade 5 children can play powers of 10. Grade 6 children should start with powers, then squares and roots. Grade 8 children can try the exponent rules.
Once your child can clear 10 pairs in about 12 moves, try Power Bingo next, which adds a gentle timer.
Tips for parents
- Play together and take turns. Say each power aloud, like “3 to the power of 4”.
- Start with 6 pairs.
- When you find a pair, explain it: “3 times 3 is 9, times 3 is 27, times 3 is 81.”
- After the game, read the list of pairs on the results screen together.
- Your best (fewest moves) is saved for each setting.
In the classroom
Works well on an interactive whiteboard with two teams taking turns. For a quieter version, children play on their own devices and record their move count. The powers of 10 setting makes a good warm-up before scientific notation.
More exponents games and practice
Games: Power Race · Power Bingo · all exponents games · order of operations games · integer games · all math games
Print it: the exponents worksheet, with an answer key, for practice away from the screen.
Practice: exponents practice · exponent calculator · exponents quiz · exponents levels
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
How do you play Power Match?
Turn over two cards at a time and match each power or root with its value, such as 2⁵ and 32. Find all the pairs in as few moves as possible.
What can you match in this exponents game?
Powers and their values, squares and square roots, powers of 10 and numbers like 4.5 × 10³, or exponent rules and their answers.
How many cards are there?
Up to 20 cards: 6, 8 or 10 pairs. Every value is different, so each card has exactly one partner.
What grade is Power Match for?
Grades 5 to 8. Powers of 10 suit grade 5, powers and squares suit grade 6, and the exponent rules suit grade 8.
Is there a timer?
No. Power Match has no time pressure, which makes it a good first exponents game.