Simplify a⁵/a³: Exponent Division Practice Problem

Question

Simplify the following:

a5a3= \frac{a^5}{a^3}=

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Simply
00:03 When dividing powers with equal bases
00:07 The power of the result equals the difference of the powers
00:11 We'll use this formula in our exercise, and subtract the powers
00:14 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

Since a division operation between two terms with identical bases is required, we will use the power property to divide between terms with identical bases:

cmcn=cmn \frac{c^m}{c^n}=c^{m-n} Note that using this property is only possible when the division is carried out between terms with identical bases.

We return to the problem and apply the mentioned power property:

a5a3=a53=a2 \frac{a^5}{a^3}=a^{5-3}=a^2 Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Answer

a2 a^2