Patterns in exponents convey properties of real numbers. 1. How are prime and composite numbers different?Each term in the divisor and the dividend must be listed in descending order. It is also helpful to fill in any missing terms using a coefficient of zero. This document provides examples and explanations for simplifying expressions involving powers and scientific notation. How do you divide exponents with different powers? If the exponents have the same base you just subtract the exponents. All exponents in the radicand must be less than the index. Any exponents in the radicand can have no factors in common with the index. The basic rule for dividing exponents with the same base is that we subtract the given powers.