Question

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

this expression? Explain.
3^4 * 2^8

Answer 1

Both expressions have different base.

Explanation:

Product rule can only be use for the similar bases. For example 2² × 2⁴ have the same base.

For this question, 3⁴ × 2⁸ have different bases which is 3 and 2.