Can you explain to me how exponents work?

You can't combine exponents when the bases aren't the same.

  "x" is where the base is

For example:

    (the bases are x and y)

When an exponent is multiplied directly to another exponent, you multiply the exponents together.

For example:

 You can look at it like this:  

When a variable with an exponent is multiplied by a variable with an exponent, you add the exponents together.

For example:

When an exponent is divided by an exponent, you subtract the exponents.

For example:

When an exponent is negative, you move the number and its exponent to the other side of the fraction to make the exponent positive.

For example:

or

or

b. 153 students do not participate in sports and seventy-five 12th graders were surveyed

x=0

step-by-step explanation: