When we write an expression like $2^n$, we call $n$ the exponent.

If $n$ is a whole number, it tells how many factors of 2 we should multiply to find the value of the expression. For example, $2^1=2$, and $2^5=2 \boldcdot 2 \boldcdot 2 \boldcdot 2 \boldcdot 2$.

There are different ways to say $2^5$. We can say “two raised to the power of five” or “two to the fifth power” or just “two to the fifth.”