Do you add exponents or multiply them?

Answer 1

Remember, all numbers have exponents, but most of the time, the exponent is 1 so we can basically ignore it. For example, 2^1 = 2.

2^2 is the same thing as 2^1 X 2^1 or 2 X 2. From this example, you can see that 2^2 = 2^(1+1). 2^3 is the same thing as 2^2 X 2^1 and so on... So, whenever you see two fractions with the same base being multiplied by each other, you add the bases.

x^6 X x^3 = x^(^+3) = x^9

For division, you subtract the exponent from the top from the exponent on the bottom.

x^6

----- = x^3

x^3

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Easy rules: Same base, multiplied, add the exponents and keep the base.

EX: (x3 )(x5 ) = x8 multiplying with same base (x) so add the exponents.

BUT an exponent raised to an exponent, then multiply.

EX: (x3 )5 = x15 , EXPONENT RAISED OT ANOTHER EXPONENT, MULTIPLY.