Question

Why can't you use the product of powers rule to simplify

this expression? Explain.
3^4.2^8

Answer 1

It is because both expressions have different base value. For this question, the bases are 3 and 2 where the product rule cannot be applied. Product rule can only be used when both expressions have the same bases.

Answer 2

You can't use this rule because the two exponents have different bases. In order to use this rule the two exponents must have the same base.