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Lesson 2
The Arithmetic of Powers
Multiplication by addition, and division by subtraction
Since (43)/(41) = 42 and also = 16, it follows that 42 = 16, which is no surprise to anyone. From this we can conclude that our two methods of solving a problem in division of powers of numbers give us the same, or equal, results.
Now let’s apply our division rule
(bm)/(bn) = b(m − n)
to the problem of dividing a power of a number by itself. let’s take the case of divising 43 by 43.
(43)/(43) = ?
By our division rule, what result will we get from this division, if we write the result as some power of 4?