Exponential notation is a powerful mathematical tool that allows us to represent numbers in a compact and convenient way. It involves writing a number as a product of a base raised to an exponent. For example, 10³ represents 10 multiplied by itself three times, resulting in 1,000. When dealing with exponential notation, it is important to remember the order of operations to ensure correct calculations. According to the order of operations (PEMDAS), exponents are evaluated before any multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction. This ensures that the exponent is applied to the base number first, and then any further operations can be carried out.