2^x + 2^x would be 2 times 2^x or 2^ (x+1). Think of 2^x as "a". The original then is simply a+a = 2a.

If you had 3^x + 3^x you would only get 2(3^x).

You need to find a common factor. e.g.

2^(x+3) + 2(x+5) - the common factor is 2(x=3) therefore you get [2^(x+3) times 1] + [2^(x+3) times 2^2]

that gives you 2^(x+3) times (1+2^2) = 2^(x+3) time (1+4) = 5 times 2^(x+3)

Try picking numbers - as in the problem above - let x=2


2^(2+3) + 2^ (2+5) =2^5 + 2^7 = 32+128 = 160 = 5x 32 or 5 x 2^5 and you can see that with x = 2, 2^(x+3) = 2^5

still not getting how u factored 3^x + 3^x you would only get 2(3^x)

let 3^x = a.

3^x + 3^x = a+a = 2a

I think i understand now. did you make a typing error here

2^(x+3) + 2(x+5) - the common factor is 2(x=3) therefore you get [2^(x+3) times 1] + [2^(x+3) times 2^2]

yes - the second term should be 2^(x+5)