An expression like  is called an exponential.
The  is called the "base" and the  is
called the "exponent".


1. 

When you multiply two exponentials with the same base, you
keep the same base and add the exponents:

Examples:  ,   ,     

2.   when m > n

When you divide two exponentials with the same base, if
the exponent on top is larger than the exponent on the bottom
you keep the same base and subtract the bottom exponent from
the top exponent.

Examples:  ,     


3.   when n > m

When you divide two exponentials with the same base, if
the exponent on the bottom is larger than the exponent on the top
you keep the same base and subtract the top exponent from
the bottom exponent, AND PUT 1 OVER THE RESULT.

Examples: ,         

4. 

When there is an inner exponent (inside parentheses) and
an outer exponent (outside the parentheses, you remove the 
parentheses by multiplying the inner exponent by the
outer exponent.

Examples:  ,      

5.  

When the base is a product of factors inside parentheses, you can
remove the parentheses by giving the exponent to both factors.

Examples:  ,    

6.  

When the base is a fraction inside parentheses, you can
remove the parentheses by giving the exponent to both the
numerator and the denominator.

Examples: ,  

Edwin