Which are the correct steps to follow to simplify an exponential expression using the Quotient Rule of Integer Exponents? (1 point)

Question

Check if the bases are different, if they are, subtract the exponents of the numerator and denominator, and write the resulting expression in exponential form

Check if the bases are the same, if they are, add the exponents of the numerator and denominator (leave as-is otherwise), and write the resulting expression in exponential form

Suttract the exponents of the numerator and denominator, and witte the resulting expression in exponential form

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

Answer 1

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 a fraction with the same base (for example, \(a^m / a^n\)), you subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator:

\[ \frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n} \]

If the bases are different, you do not apply the Quotient Rule.