Simplify (2)^3(2)^-5

${(2)}^{3} {(2)}^{- 5}$

Step 1

Multiply ${(2)}^{3}$ by ${(2)}^{- 5}$ by adding the exponents.

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$2^{3 - 5}$

Subtract $5$ from $3$ .

$2^{- 2}$

Step 2

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{1}{2^{2}}$

Step 3

Raise $2$ to the power of $2$ .

$\frac{1}{4}$

Step 4

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$\frac{1}{4}$

Decimal Form:

$0.25$