SOLUTION: when you are dividing exponents do u add them or subtract them?

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Question 7127: when you are dividing exponents do u add them or subtract them?
Answer by prabhjyot(165) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
For division with like bases you subtract exponents,
x%5Ea%2F+x%5Eb=++X+%5E%28a-b%29
For example:
5%5E8%2F5%5E6

gives 5%5E%288-6%29+=+5%5E2.

Dividing different bases can't be simplified unless the exponents are equal. x%5E3%2Fy%5E2 can't be combined because it's just xxx%2Fyy;
But x%5E3%2Fy%5E3 is xxx%2Fyyy, which is %28x%2Fy%29%28x%2Fy%29%28x%2Fy%29, which is %28x%2Fy%29%5E3.
x%5Ea+%2F+y%5Ea+=+%28x%2Fy%29%5Ea+