Ex-pō'nent, n.

n. [Lat. exponens, p. pr. of exponere, to put out, to set forth, to expose, from ex, out of, from, and ponere, to put, place, set; Sp. exponente, It. esponente, Fr. exposant.]

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; 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, a¹⁄₃ denotes the third or cube root of a. Math. Dict.
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, six is the exponent of the ratio of thirty to five.