The correct steps to follow to simplify an exponential expression using the Quotient Rule of Integer Exponents are:
Check if the bases are the same; if they are, subtract the exponents of the numerator and denominator (leave as-is otherwise); and write the resulting expression in exponential form.
This means that when you have an expression of the form \(\frac{a^m}{a^n}\) (where \(a\) is the base), you simplify it as \(a^{m-n}\), assuming that \(a\) is not zero. If the bases are different, you cannot apply the Quotient Rule directly, and you would leave the expression as-is.