Rewrite exponents as fractions when they appear in an expression involving a radical sign. The exponent belonging to the radicand (number under the radical sign) goes in the numerator, and the index (number to the left of the radical sign) goes in the denominator. For example, ^5√x^10 would simplify to x^10/5, which further simplifies to x^2.
Multiply exponents that lie on the inside and outside of a set of parentheses involving a single base. For instance, (y^3)^4 would become y^12.
Subtract the denominator's exponent from the numerator's exponent in the case of a fraction with like bases. An example is as follows: x^7/x^4 = x^3.
Add exponents when like bases are being multiplied. For instance, 3^2 * 3^6 = 3^8, which equals 6,561.
Remove the negative sign from negative exponents and place the term in the denominator of a fraction whose numerator is 1. For instance, y^-4 would become 1/y^4.