Ex·po·nent n.
1. Alg. A number, letter, or any quantity written on the right hand of and above another quantity, and denoting how many times the latter is repeated as a factor to produce the power indicated;
Note: thus a² denotes the second power, and aₓ the xth power, of a (2 and x being the exponents). A fractional exponent, or index, is used to denote the root of a quantity. Thus, a
2. One who, or that which, stands as an index or representative; as, the leader of a party is the exponent of its principles.
Exponent of a ratio, the quotient arising when the antecedent is divided by the consequent; thus, 6 is the exponent of the ratio of 30 to 5. [R.]
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