first if all we have to simplify the whole number and see if it has he same basis of the powered number or not.
If so like 8 it has the same base for
![2^(5)](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/s1sj0eee9tj9y072fso7rm5s1b2vq0a0xz.png)
as they are both can be obtained by multiplying a certain number of 2s.
for example
![8=2^(3)= 2*2*2](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/high-school/3buhut0q003qv1yx4wnkxty2qy74w0iqhx.png)
which makes 8 can be obtained by multiplying three 2s.
in our example
![(2^(5))/(8)=(2^(5))/(2^(3)) = 2^(5) * 2^(-3)](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/high-school/lsct7bwfo4dk24wt8rfr99s5j2en6qs0tp.png)
in this case, we can add the two powers as long as the basis are the same.
![(2^(5))/(8)=2^(5-3)=2^(2)=4](https://img.qammunity.org/2019/formulas/mathematics/high-school/ll625jpwukwhfnspkv5ocqgm3a7irz9uwf.png)
I hope it make sense now ;)
Best Wishes