When you divide the bases, you __ the exponents. Example:

## Step 1<br />The problem is about the rules of exponents, specifically the rule for dividing like bases. This rule states that when you divide two exponents with the same base, you subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The formula for this rule is:<br />### \(a^m / a^n = a^{m-n}\)<br /><br />## Step 3<br />This rule is based on the fact that division is the inverse operation of multiplication. Therefore, when you divide two numbers with the same base, you are essentially asking "how many times does the base fit into the numerator?". This is equivalent to subtracting the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator.