Question

How is multiplying exponents (x² ⋅ x⁴) different from raising a power to a power ((x²)⁴)?

Answer 1

When you are "multiplying" exponents, you're really just adding them together. So in the case of (x² ⋅ x⁴), you add the exponents:

2 + 4 = 6

`x^(6)` would be the answer.

On the other hand, raising a power to a power, is actually multiplying them. So it would just be:

2 ⋅ 4 = 8

`x^(8)` would be the answer.