To simplify the expression \( \frac{3^9}{3^7} \), you can apply the law of exponents, which states that when you divide two exponents with the same base, you subtract the exponents:
\[ \frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n} \]
In this case, \( a = 3 \), \( m = 9 \), and \( n = 7 \). So you perform the subtraction:
\[ \frac{3^9}{3^7} = 3^{9 - 7} = 3^2 \]
Therefore, the expression simplifies to \( 3^2 \). The exponent in this simplest form is \( 2 \).
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