math definition of exponent
Exponents. The exponent of a number says how many times to use the number in a multiplication. In 82 the 2 says to use 8 twice in a multiplication, so 82 = 8 Ã 8 = 64. In words: 8 2 could be called 8 to the power 2 or 8 to the second power, or simply 8 squared. Exponents are also called Powers or Indices.