Subtracting Indices

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The following diagram shows how to divide exponents by subtracting indices. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions for dividing exponents.

When dividing numbers in exponent notation with the same base, we subtract the exponents.

Consider:

This is the second law of exponents:

Example:

Simplify the following expressions, giving your answers in exponent form

Solution:

Common Error : The second law of exponent does NOT apply to subtraction of numbers in exponent notation.

The following video shows more examples of subtraction of exponents: Subtracting Exponents

• Show Step-by-step Solutions

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