Question

write exponent of 4 ^ 2

Answer 1

In words: 24 could be called "2 to the fourth power" or "2 to the power 4" or simply "2 to the 4th". Exponents make it easier to write and use many multiplications.

Answer 2

The exponent of a number says how many times to use the number in a multiplication.

In 82 the "2" says to use 8 twice in a multiplication, 
so 82 = 8 × 8 = 64

In words: 82 could be called "8 to the power 2" or "8 to the second power", or simply "8 squared