EXPONENTIAL RULES

Rule 3:

When there are two or more exponents to the same base, multiply them.

Example 10:

Simplify the following expression .

Answer:

Solution:

Simplify the numerator: .

Simplify the denominator: .

The initial fraction can now re written as .

Since is equivalent to , they should be identical for the same values of a and b. Let's check the answer by letting a and b take on values in both the initial fraction and the closing fraction. Let's let a = 2 and b = 3. The value of the initial fraction and the final fraction , using a = 2 and b = 3, should be the same.

If you would like to work some problems, click on Problems.

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