Why exponents were invented?
Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.