Write down the multiplication sentence. For example, you might have x^3 * x^4.
Add the exponents if the bases are alike. In this example, you would add 3 and 4 to get x^7.
Avoid multiplying bases that are not alike. For example, although you can multiply x^3 * x^4, you cannot multiply x^3 * y^4.
Multiply the exponents that lie inside and outside a set of parentheses that contains a single base. For example, if you have (b^2)^4, multiply the 2 and the 4 to get x^8.