Divide and simplify

Question

x^16/x^3

(Simplify your answer. Type exponential notation with positive exponents.) 

Answer 1

One property of exponents is the quotient of like bases, which states the following:

     to divide powers with the same base, keep the like base and subtract the exponents

    e.g.:        a^m/aⁿ = a^m-n 

Therefore, 

                  x¹⁶/x³

Since two exponential expressions with like bases are being divided, then we keep the common base they share and subtract their exponents:

     x¹⁶/x³  =  x^16-3  =  x¹³ 

Thus,

          x¹⁶/x³ = x¹³