When can I add exponents?
February 20th, 2023
##x^a xx x^b=x^(a+b)##
can be added when two of the same base are multiplied. That is, ##x^a xx x^b = x^(a+b)##. For example:
##2^3xx2^5 = 2^(3+5)=2^8##
##5^(-1)xx5^1 = 5^(-1+1) = 5^0 = 1##
##7^(1/4)xx7^(3/4) = 7^(1/4+3/4) = 7^(1)=7##
Note that this does not apply when the bases are different.
