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multiplyingexponents item55
Adding & Subtracting with Exponents

Adding and subtracting with exponents is not difficult. Nope. Not. At. All. Of course, it all does depend upon whether or not there are variables involved. tee-hee! Not really…it really doesn't matter. Exponents are not hard, period! Let's take a look at addition and subtraction:
Adding & Subtracting, when there
exponents4
Addition Example

Here's an addition problem. Let's see how we can simplify it.
exponents5

Step 1: Start by re-writing the exponents,
exponents

Step 2: do the math…
exponents1

Step 3: you are done!
exponents2
Subtraction Example

Here's a subtraction problem. Let's see how we can simplify it.
exponents2e

Step 1: Start by re-writing the exponents,
exponents2f

Step 2: do the math…
exponents2g

Step 3: voila!
When there are just numbers
beefat
exponentsadding
Adding & Subtracting with Variables

When the terms contain VARIABLES then there is a little bitty difference. You can only combine terms that have matching variables AND exponents. So, let's take a look at an example.

Step 1: Check for terms with MATCHING variables & exponents. You can ONLY combine terms with 'matching' variables and exponents.

exponentsadding1
exponentsadding2

Step 2: Line them up (it is easier to do this vertically!)
exponentsadd2

Step 3: Do the math…and, you have your answer!

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