Why do we add exponents when we are multiplying like bases?
1 answer
When we multiply like bases, we add the exponents because it represents the repeated multiplication of the base. For example, when we have 2^3 * 2^2, we are really multiplying 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2, which is 2^5. So, adding the exponents simplifies the expression by showing how many times the base is multiplied by itself.