exponents

[DeValera]

2^2 + 2^2 = 8 or is it
2^2 + 2^2 =4^2 (which would be 16)

[Guest]

[tex]a^n \times a^m = a^{n+m}[/tex]

[tex]a^n + a^m =[/tex] there are no such a formula

But if we have [tex]m > n[/tex] we can write
[tex]a^n + a^m = a^n(1 + a^{m-n})[/tex]


In your case you have
[tex]a + a =2a[/tex] where [tex]a = 2^2[/tex]
So
[tex]2^2+2^2 = 2\cdot 2^2=2\cdot 4[/tex]

[Guest]

Or for this particular case [tex]2^2+ 2^2= 4+ 4= 8[/tex].

If it were "*" rather than "+" then it would be [tex]2^2*2^2= 4*4= 16[/tex].

Be careful what your operation is!

[HallsofIvy]

You appear to be asking if $a^2+ b^2= (a+ b)^2$. The answer to that is a loud NO!

$(a+ b)^2= (a+ b)(a+ b)= a(a)+ a(b)+ b(a)+ b(b)= a^2+ 2ab+ b^2$, NOT $a^2+ b^2$.