Hello! The past few weeks we have been learning about rules and properties of exponents.
When multiplying exponents with the same bases, you simply add the exponents. Here is an example.
x^7 * x^5 = x*x*x*x*x*x*x * x*x*x*x*x = x^12
Notice how the multiplication symbol connects the string of numbers from x^7 to x^5.
When dividing exponents, subtract the exponents in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator.
For example: x^9/x^3 = x/x * x/x * x/x * x^6 = x^6
Any number over itself is 1, so that leaves us with x^6, because the Identity Property states that any number multiplied by 1 is the same number.
When taking an exponent to another exponent, multiply the exponents.
(x^7)^9=x^63
When you have a negative exponent, multiply by the reciprocal.
8^-4=1/8 * 1/8 * 1/8 * 1/8 =1/4096