Simplify x^a / x^b.

Explanation

• When dividing powers that share the same base, subtract the indices: x^a ÷ x^b = x^(a−b).
• Test it with numbers: 2⁵ ÷ 2³ = 32 ÷ 8 = 4, and 2^(5−3) = 2² = 4.
• Option B x^(a+b) is the rule for multiplying powers, not for dividing them.
• If a equals b the result becomes x⁰ = 1, so option D is correct only in that special case.
• When a is smaller than b the index turns negative, and x^(−n) simply means 1/xⁿ.