For example, what does an exponent mean? If you know what an exponent means, you'll have no difficulty remembering that x²x³ = x⁵ but (x²)³ = x⁶.For example, know the meanings of "solve for x", "simplify", and "factor". Solving for x is something you do with an equation or inequality: you figure out what numbers could be plugged in for x to make the equation true. Simplifying and factoring are ways of rewriting an expression: simplifying rewrites so everything at the outermost level is added or subtracted, and factoring rewrites so everything at the outermost level is multiplied or divided—without changing the result of the calculation.
