In the expression $a^5$, which part tells how many times the base is used as a factor?

• A. The sum $a+5$
• B. The exponent, $5$
• C. The product $a\times 5$
• D. The base, $a$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the parts of the expression \(a^{5}\). Here, \(a\) is called the base, and \$5$ is called the exponent.
2. Understand that the exponent tells us how many times the base is multiplied by itself.
3. In \(a^{5}\), the exponent \$5\( means that \)a\( is used as a factor 5 times, i.e., \)a \times a \times a \times a \times a$.
4. The base \(a\) is the number or variable being multiplied repeatedly.
5. Therefore, the part that tells how many times the base is used as a factor is the exponent, which is \$5$ in this expression.