指数 from HSK Level 6 Vocabulary List

The Chinese word 指数 (zhǐshù) is composed of two characters: 指 (zhǐ), meaning "to point" or "to indicate," and 数 (shù), meaning "number" or "quantity." Together, these characters form the concept of "index" or "indicator," something that points to or indicates a particular value or quantity.In the context of mathematics, 指数 specifically refers to the exponent of a number, which indicates how many times a base number is multiplied by itself. For example, in the expression 2³, the exponent 3 indicates that the base number 2 is multiplied by itself three times, resulting in the value 8.Beyond mathematics, 指数 is also used in a broader sense to refer to any kind of index or indicator that provides information about a particular subject or phenomenon. For example, economic indicators such as the consumer price index (CPI) or the gross domestic product (GDP) are used to measure and track economic activity. Similarly, health indicators such as the infant mortality rate or the life expectancy are used to assess the health status of a population.In summary, the Chinese word 指数 (zhǐshù) is derived from the characters 指 (zhǐ), meaning "to point" or "to indicate," and 数 (shù), meaning "number" or "quantity." It refers to the exponent of a number in mathematics and is also used more broadly to denote any kind of index or indicator that provides information about a particular subject or phenomenon.