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), 2 is the base and 3 is the exponent, which means (2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8). Exponents can also represent roots and fractional powers, extending their application beyond simple multiplication. They are fundamental in various areas of mathematics, including algebra and calculus.