The MGMAT chapter on exponents says "you can never combine exponential equations linked by addition or subtraction.
So, for example:
2^7 + 3^7 CANNOT be combined, even though they have the same exponent. Then, in the very next chapter, it asks you to simplify the expression:
Root of x^2 y^3 + 3x^2 y^3
The answer states that one must simplify the root under the equation to:
4x^2 y^3
How is this possible? I thought you weren't allowed to add terms, even if they shared an exponent. And yet, that's exactly what they did. Please explain.
So, for example:
2^7 + 3^7 CANNOT be combined, even though they have the same exponent. Then, in the very next chapter, it asks you to simplify the expression:
Root of x^2 y^3 + 3x^2 y^3
The answer states that one must simplify the root under the equation to:
4x^2 y^3
How is this possible? I thought you weren't allowed to add terms, even if they shared an exponent. And yet, that's exactly what they did. Please explain.
