Compare Powers: Evaluating 16^8 vs 16^(2+6)

The problem involves comparing $16^8$ and $16^{(2+6)}$.

First, simplify the exponent in the second expression:

• $16^{(2+6)} = 16^8$

This simplifies directly to $16^8$, which is identical to the first expression, $16^8$.

Since both expressions are equal after simplification, we conclude that:

The two expressions are equal, therefore $=$.