In mathematics, an exponent is a small number (or symbol) above and to the right of another number (or symbol) signifying how many times the number is to be used in multiplication. Therefore, 3³ is 3 x 3 x 3. 2⁴ is 2 x 2 x 2 x 2. M³ is M x M x M. 2^x is 2 multiplied x number of times.