PRACTICE WITH $\,x^mx^n = x^{m+n}$
• PRACTICE (online exercises and printable worksheets)
For a complete discussion, read the text.

All the exponent laws are stated below, for completeness.
This web exercise gives practice with: $$x^mx^n = x^{m+n}$$ Here's the motivation for this exponent law: $$x^2x^3 = \overset{\text{two factors}}{\overbrace{x\cdot x}} \cdot \overset{\text{three factors}}{\overbrace{x\cdot x\cdot x}} \ = \ \overset{\text{five factors}}{\overbrace{x\cdot x\cdot x\cdot x\cdot x}} \ = \ x^5 \ = \ x^{2+3}$$

EXPONENT LAWS
Let $\,x\,$, $\,y\,$, $\,m\,$, and $\,n\,$ be real numbers, with the following exceptions:
• a base and exponent cannot simultaneously be zero (since $\,0^0\,$ is undefined);
• division by zero is not allowed;
• for non-integer exponents (like $\,\frac12\,$ or $\,0.4\,$), assume that bases are positive.
Then,
 $x^mx^n = x^{m+n}$ Verbalize: same base, things multiplied, add the exponents $\displaystyle \frac{x^m}{x^n} = x^{m-n}$ Verbalize: same base, things divided, subtract the exponents $(x^m)^n = x^{mn}$ Verbalize: something to a power, to a power; multiply the exponents $(xy)^m = x^my^m$ Verbalize: product to a power; each factor gets raised to the power $\displaystyle \left(\frac{x}{y}\right)^m = \frac{x^m}{y^m}$ Verbalize: fraction to a power; both numerator and denominator get raised to the power
EXAMPLE:
$x^2x^{-5} = x^p\,$ where $\,p = \text{?}$
Answer: $p = -3$
Master the ideas from this section
Practice with $\,(x^m)^n = x^{mn}$