Step-by-step explanation:
When you have an exponent, it is the same as multiplying that number to itself that many times. For an example:
2^2 is the same thing as 2*2. Both of them equal 4. So the question gave you the answer of 2*2*2*2.... twelve times, and 2^12 which are the same thing, just one is written out more.
Another example:
3^4= 3*3*3*3= 81
