What is a Exponent

An exponent is a short form of repeated multiplication. When a number or variable is multiplied by itself repeatedly, it can be written using powers.

If $a$ is multiplied by itself two times, then:

$a \times a = a^2$

This is read as “a squared” or “a power 2.”

If $a$ is multiplied by itself three times, then:

$a \times a \times a = a^3$

This is read as “a cubed” or “a power 3.”

Similarly,

$a \times a \times a \times a = a^4$

This is read as “a power 4.”

In general, if $a$ is multiplied by itself $n$ times, then:

$a \times a \times a \times \cdots \text{ n times} = a^n$

This is read as “a power $n$ .”

For example:

$a \times a \times a \times \cdots \text{ 10 times} = a^{10}$

$a \times a \times a \times \cdots \text{ 50 times} = a^{50}$

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