Question 187429
With powers or what is the same thing, exponents, 
this is the picture to have in your mind:
2^5 = 2*2*2*2*2
2^4 = 2*2*2*2
2^3 = 2*2*2
2^2 = 2*2
2^1 = 2
2^0 = 1 (any number to the {{{0}}} power is {{{1}}}
2^-1 = 1/2
2^-2 = 1/(2*2)
2^-3 = 1/(2*2*2)
2^-4 = 1/(2*2*2*2)
2^-5 = 1/(2*2*2*2*2)
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{{{2^4 / 2^3 = 2*2*2*2 / (2*2*2)}}}
As with any fraction, if there is factor in the numerator
and the same factor in the denominator, they can be
cancelled, so
{{{2*2*2*2 / (2*2*2) = 2*2*2 / (2*2)}}} (I cancelled a 2 in the 
numerator with a 2 in the denominator
{{{2*2*2 / (2*2) = 2*2/2}}} I did the same thing again
{{{2*2/2 = 2}}} I did the same thing again
If I follow this back to the beginning, I have:
{{{2^4 / 2^3 = 2^1}}} answer