What is the quotient of powers property?

1 Answer
Gió
Dec 19, 2014

(a^m)/(a^n)=a^(m-n)

This property allows you to simplify problems where you have a fraction of the same numbers ( a) raised to different powers (m and n).
For example:

(3^3)/(3^2)=(3*3*3)/(3*3)=3^(3-2)=3

You can see how the power of 3, in the numerator, is "reduced" by the presence of the power 2 in the denominator.

You can also check te result by doing the multiplications:

(3^3)/(3^2)=(3*3*3)/(3*3)=27/9=3

As a challenge try to find out what happens when m=n !!!!!

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