The expression "3^2" represents the mathematical operation of exponentiation, where the base number is 3 and the exponent is 2. This means that 3 is multiplied by itself 2 times. In simpler terms, "3^2" can be calculated as 3 × 3. When you perform this multiplication, you find that "3^2" equals 9. This result shows that the area of a square with each side measuring 3 units is 9 square units. Exponentiation is a fundamental concept in mathematics, often used in various fields such as science, engineering, and finance.