Exponent
A number indicating how many times a base number is multiplied by itself.
In the expression 2³, 2 is the base and 3 is the exponent, meaning 2 × 2 × 2 = 8. Exponents are fundamental to compound interest (money grows exponentially), population growth, radioactive decay, and computer science (binary is base 2). Key rules: x^a × x^b = x^(a+b). x^0 = 1 for any non-zero x. Negative exponents represent fractions: x^(-n) = 1/x^n.
Try it yourself:
Open Exponent Calculator →