Expand 2^(2+5): Solving an Exponential Expression

Because addition in the exponent is different from addition of the results! When you have $2^{2+5}$, the addition happens before applying the power, so you multiply the bases: $2^2 \times 2^5$.

Key rule: Addition in the exponent means multiplication of the expanded form. Think of it as $2^{2+5} = 2^2 \times 2^5$ because you're multiplying the same base raised to different powers.

Yes! $2^{2+5} = 2^7 = 128$ is correct, but the question asks for the expanded form, which shows the multiplication: $2^2 \times 2^5$.

Then you cannot combine them using exponent rules! The rule $a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}$ only works when the bases are the same.

Absolutely! You can go both ways: $a^{m+n} = a^m \times a^n$ and $a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}$. This makes simplifying expressions much easier!