\Ex*po"nent\, n. [L. exponens, -entis, p. pr. of
exponere to put out, set forth, expose. See {Expound}.]
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 a^{2} denotes the second power, and a^{n} 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^{1/3} denotes the third or cube root
      of 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.]