Example

Simplifying x9x7\frac{x^9}{x^7} Using the Quotient Property

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

To simplify x9x7\frac{x^9}{x^7}, first compare the exponents. Both the numerator and denominator share the base xx. Because the numerator exponent 99 is greater than the denominator exponent 77, there are more factors of xx on top than on the bottom. Apply the m>nm > n case of the Quotient Property (aman=amn\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}) to subtract the exponents: x9x7=x97\frac{x^9}{x^7} = x^{9-7}. This simplifies to x2x^2.

When the larger exponent appears in the numerator, the simplified result is a single power of the base — the remaining factors stay in the numerator after the common factors cancel.

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Updated 2026-05-09

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