$n$ is an arbitrary real number. By only using multiplication, you are asked to find $n^{23}$ with the least amount of multiplication operation.
Note: You can only use $n$ or the results you can with multiplications as examplified below.
For example if this question is asked for $n^4$, the answer would be $2$:
1.
$n\times n=n^2$
2.
$n^2\times n^2=n^4$