What is a superscript number that indicates how many times a base number is multiplied by itself called?

The term for a superscript number that indicates how many times a base number is multiplied by itself is called an exponent. In mathematical notation, the base number is expressed as a large number, and the exponent as a smaller superscript number. For example, in the expression 2^3, the number 2 is the base, and 3 is the exponent, meaning 2 is multiplied by itself three times (2 x 2 x 2 = 8).

The significance of the exponent lies in its ability to convey the power to which the base number is raised, leading to a more compact representation of large numbers and enabling operations involving powers to be easily understood and computed. Understanding exponents is crucial in various mathematical contexts, including algebra, calculus, and scientific notation, where they play a vital role in simplifying calculations and expressing large or small quantities efficiently.

Other terms in the options, like factor, base, and coefficient, refer to different mathematical concepts and do not describe the function of a superscript in indicating multiplicative repetition.