An exponent is a mathematical notation that indicates how many times a number, called the base, is multiplied by itself. For example, in the expression 2^3, the number 2 is the base, and 3 is the exponent. This means 2 is multiplied by itself three times: 2 × 2 × 2, which equals 8. Exponents help simplify calculations and express large numbers more easily. Exponents can also represent roots, such as square roots or cube roots. For instance, the square root of a number can be written as raising that number to the power of 1/2. Understanding exponents is essential in various fields, including science, engineering, and finance, as they are used to express growth rates, areas, and more.