Example

Simplifying 7375\frac{7^3}{7^5} Using the Quotient Property

Apply the Quotient Property for Exponents to simplify a quotient with a numerical base where the larger exponent is in the denominator.

To simplify 7375\frac{7^3}{7^5}, first compare the exponents. Both powers share the base 77. Because the denominator exponent 55 is greater than the numerator exponent 33, there are more factors of 77 in the denominator. Apply the n>mn > m case of the Quotient Property (aman=1anm\frac{a^m}{a^n} = \frac{1}{a^{n-m}}) by subtracting the smaller numerator exponent from the larger denominator exponent: 7375=1753\frac{7^3}{7^5} = \frac{1}{7^{5-3}}. This yields 172\frac{1}{7^2}, which evaluates to 149\frac{1}{49}.

With a numerical base, the remaining power in the denominator can be evaluated to produce a purely numerical fraction.

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Updated 2026-05-25

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Ch.5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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