Exponent Divided by Another Exponent

Date: 9/8/96 at 20:55:25
From: MISS JULIE A MALMSTROM
Subject: Exponent Divided by Another Exponent

I don't know how to solve

     7
	8
 --------
     3
	8

This is how I write (8^7)/(8^3) .

Date: 9/9/96 at 11:54:17
From: Doctor Robert
Subject: Re: Exponent Divided by Another Exponent

When you are dividing numbers that are expressed as powers, and the 
bases of the powers are the same, then you subtract exponents.

For example:

     5
	2             2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2                   2
 --------    =  --------------------   =  2 x 2  =   2
     3                2 x 2 x 2
	2


This is the brute force method.  The better way is to say

     5
	2              (5 - 3)       2 
 --------    =    2         =   2
     3          
	2

So your problem would be  

     7
	8              (7-3)         4
 --------    =    8         =   8
     3             
	8

-Doctor Robert,  The Math Forum
 Check out our web site!  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/