The expression "3^1" represents an exponentiation operation where the base is 3 and the exponent is 1. In this case, raising a number to the power of 1 means that the number remains unchanged. Therefore, "3^1" equals 3. Exponentiation is a mathematical operation that involves two numbers: the base and the exponent. The base is multiplied by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent. Since the exponent here is 1, "3^1" simply results in the base, which is 3.