What does an exponent indicate when placed at the top right of a number?

The indication of an exponent, which appears as a smaller number at the top right of a base number, is that it represents how many times the base number is to be multiplied by itself. For example, if you have a base number of 2 with an exponent of 3, written as (2^3), this means you multiply 2 by itself two more times: (2 \times 2 \times 2), which equals 8. This notation is fundamental in mathematics as it simplifies the representation of repeated multiplication.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the role of an exponent. The second option suggests addition rather than multiplication, while the third option might confuse the concept of a sequence with counting terms rather than multiplication. Lastly, the fourth option refers specifically to squaring (raising a number to the power of two), which is a specific application of exponents but does not capture the broader meaning that an exponent conveys about repeated multiplication of the base number. Thus, the first choice correctly defines the primary function of an exponent.