| exponent | 1. <mathematics> 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 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. Origin: L. Exponens, -entis, p. Pr. Of exponere to put out, set forth, expose. See Expound. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| exponential | Pertaining to exponents; involving variable exponents; as, an exponential expression; exponential calculus; an exponential function. Exponential curve, a curve whose nature is defined by means of an exponential equation. Exponential equation, an equation which contains an exponential quantity, or in which the unknown quantity enters as an exponent. <mathematics> Exponential quantity, a quantity whose exponent is unknown or variable, as a^x. Exponential series, a series derived from the development of exponential equations or quantities. Origin: Cf. F. Exponentiel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| exponential decay | <epidemiology> A decline in which the rate of decay is always proportional to the amount of material remaining; the constant of proportionality is the rate constant. (05 Dec 1998) |
| exponential distribution | The time until failure of a process at constant hazard. (05 Mar 2000) |
| exponential growth | <biology> A rate of growth of an organism, a part of an organism, or a population of organisms which, when graphed, produces an exponential or logarithmic curve. Such a rate occurs, for example: during the exponential growth phase, when a population of bacterial (or other) cells divide at a constant rate so that the total number of cells doubles with each division. (09 Oct 1997) |
| hydrogen exponent | The logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration in blood or other fluid; its negative is the pH of that fluid. (05 Mar 2000) |
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