Quandaries and Queries
 

 

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 = 32 + 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 = 523 - 12 = 511

Penny

 
 

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