Hi, I am a student who would like to recall how to multiply exponents. Here
is such an equation:
6.02569 10²⁵ 5.25⁴ =?
Also, adding exponents. Don't I just add subtract the exponents separately?
Such as 5²³ + 15^-12 =??

Thanks,
Carl

Hi Carl,

The rules of exponents apply only when you multiply or divide, and only if the base is the same. For example, suppose that you want to find

3² 3⁴

3² is 3 3 and 3⁴ is 3 3 3 3 so

3² 3⁴
= (3 3) (3 3 3 3)
= 3 3 3 3 3 3
= 3⁶

That is

3² 3⁴ = 3^{2 + 4} = 3⁶

For the two situations you describe the rules of exponents don't give any simplification. The best I can say is that if the second had been

5²³ 5^-12

then you could write it as

5²³ 5^-12 = 5^{23 - 12} = 5¹¹

Penny

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