How many powers does a character get to choose from at first level? And every subsequent level in 4e? Sorry for the simple question i just cant seem to find the answer in the PHB. Thanks
I don't know the page number, but you should find the chart for levelling up near the beginning of the book. It tells you everything about powers at different levels as well as what other bonuses you get when you level up. At first level you get 2 At-will, 1 Encounter, and 1 Daily. You don't get any Utilities yet. If you're human you get one extra At-will.
Page 29 has a massive table that shows everything you gain at every level; that is the easiest way to see it all at once.
How many powers does a character get to choose from at first level? And every subsequent level in 4e? Sorry for the simple question i just cant seem to find the answer in the PHB. Thanks
He gets to choose *from* all the powers that are available to his race and class in this campaign. The selection varies from class to class, and campaign to campaign, as some DMs won't allow some books, etc.
Semantics, semantics! 
Semantics, semantics!
It's actually a pretty big difference, I think.
Yeah yeah. I get the point. "Author intent". You are right, of course. They may choose from any that are allowed by the DM, preferably according to class/level. I just think he was asking for how many he gets to pick at certain levels. 
The chart is showing you minimums. Almost all PCs have more powers than it shows, whether from racial, feat, or class abilities. So, the part about "total powers known" is almost certainly inaccurate for your PC.
However, it does show your common power progression by class starting at 2nd level (unless you're a Wizard, who continues to "know" additional powers, and choose which to use each day).