exp
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Exponential function |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Units & Measurements, Writing & Everyday |
| Also written | exp. |
exp has three meanings. The most common are Exponential function (math) and Expiration (date) (everyday); it can also stand for Experience.
Meanings of exp at a glance
| # | exp stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exponential function | Units & Measurements › Math |
| 2 | Expiration (date) | Writing & Everyday › Everyday |
| 3 | Experience | Writing & Everyday › Classified Ad |
1. Exponential function
Units & Measurements · Math Abbreviations
Notation for e raised to a power: exp(x) = e^x. It is preferred when the exponent is long, as in exp(−x²/2) in the normal distribution, and is the function's name in most programming languages.
Example: The density is proportional to exp(−x²/2).
The exponential function is its own derivative, the property that makes it central to growth, decay, compound interest and differential equations. Its power series is 1 + x + x²/2! + x³/3! + .... In spreadsheets EXP(1) returns e ≈ 2.71828, while on calculators an EXP or EE key often means "times ten to the power".
2. Expiration (date) (exp.)
Writing & Everyday · Everyday Abbreviations
Introduces an expiration date on credit cards, coupons, food, medicine and documents, as in "Exp. 08/27." After that date the item is no longer valid or guaranteed.
Example: Enter the card number, the CVV and the exp. date as shown on the front of the card.
Credit cards show a month and year and remain valid through the last day of that month. US food labels use phrases such as "best by" and "use by," which generally indicate quality rather than safety, except on infant formula. In math, exp is the exponential function.
3. Experience (exp.)
Writing & Everyday · Classified Ad Abbreviations
Refers to required or preferred work experience in job ads, as in "2+ yrs exp. req." It also appears in résumés and recruiting shorthand.
Example: Medical assistant, 1 yr exp. pref., bilingual a plus, Monday through Friday.
Job ads pair it with pref. (preferred) or req. (required); preferred qualifications are negotiable, and career advisers encourage applying even without all of them. In video games, EXP or XP means experience points. On cards and coupons, exp. means expiration.
Related abbreviations
More math abbreviations
- csc – Cosecant
- deg – Degree (angle)
- det – Determinant
- dim – Dimension
- FOIL – First, Outer, Inner, Last
- FTC – Fundamental theorem of calculus
- GCD – Greatest common divisor
- GCF – Greatest common factor
See all 91 math abbreviations →