Using the Product Rule of Exponents

Consider the product x3x4. Both terms have the same base, x, but they are raised to different exponents. Expand each expression, and then rewrite the resulting expression.

x3x4=xxxxxxx3 factors  4 factors=xxxxxxx7 factors=x7

The result is that x3x4=x3+4=x7.

Notice that the exponent of the product is the sum of the exponents of the terms. In other words, when multiplying exponential expressions with the same base, we write the result with the common base and add the exponents. This is the product rule of exponents.

aman=am+n

Now consider an example with real numbers.

2324=23+4=27

We can always check that this is true by simplifying each exponential expression. We find that 23 is 8, 24 is 16, and 27 is 128. The product 816 equals 128, so the relationship is true. We can use the product rule of exponents to simplify expressions that are a product of two numbers or expressions with the same base but different exponents.

A General Note: The Product Rule of Exponents

For any real number a and natural numbers m and n, the product rule of exponents states that

aman=am+n

Example 1: Using the Product Rule

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

  1. t5t3
  2. (3)5(3)
  3. x2x5x3

Solution

Use the product rule to simplify each expression.

  1. t5t3=t5+3=t8
  2. (3)5(3)=(3)5(3)1=(3)5+1=(3)6
  3. x2x5x3

At first, it may appear that we cannot simplify a product of three factors. However, using the associative property of multiplication, begin by simplifying the first two.

x2x5x3=(x2x5)x3=(x2+5)x3=x7x3=x7+3=x10

Notice we get the same result by adding the three exponents in one step.

x2x5x3=x2+5+3=x10

Try It 1

Write each of the following products with a single base. Do not simplify further.

a. k6k9
b. (2y)4(2y)
c. t3t6t5

Solution