What does the exponent in an expression indicate?

The exponent in an expression indicates how many times the base number is multiplied by itself. It is a shorthand notation that simplifies the representation of repeated multiplication. For example, in the expression \( a^n \): - \( a \) is the base. - \( n \) is the exponent. This means that \( a \) is multiplied by itself \( n \) times. For instance: - \( 2^3 \) means \( 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8 \). - \( 5^2 \) means \( 5 \times 5 = 25 \). Exponents can also indicate other mathematical concepts: - A negative exponent, such as \( a^{-n} \), indicates the reciprocal of the base raised to the positive exponent: \( a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n} \). - An exponent of zero, such as \( a^0 \), is defined to be 1 for any non-zero base: \( a^0 = 1 \). In summary, exponents provide a concise way to express repeated multiplication and can also convey additional mathematical properties.