Definition of Base - Exponential Notation

Exponential notation is written most commonly by a superscript where a number (the base) is being raised to another number. As in the form:

Here, b is being raised to the x power. It is also common to see the same equation above written in the form:

b^x = a

This is very common on computers since it is difficult to make a superscript as in the first example with your keyboard.

What exactly does "b to the x" mean? Well, it means that you multiply b with itself x times. Here's an example that is common in computer science. It is common because the base is in binary (which is a fancy term meaning that the number being raised to a power is 2)

Two here is the base and 10 is the exponent.