5 Problems - SHOW ALL WORK!
x8x2
x16x12
x25x14
8x62x4
Why do we subtract exponents when we are dividing like bases?
1) x8x2 = x(8+2) = x10
2) x16x12 = x(16+12) = x28
3) x25x14 = x(25+14) = x39
4) 8x62x4 = 8x6-4 = 8x2
When dividing like bases, we subtract exponents because when we divide, we are essentially subtracting the exponents of the same base. This is a property of exponents that states (a^m)/(a^n) = a^(m-n) where a is the base and m and n are the exponents. This is why we subtract exponents when dividing like bases.