Explain why the exponents cannot be added in the product 12 to the power of three times 11 to the power of 3

Normally, we could add exponents.
however, that only is possible when the bases are the same
recall what exponents mean

12³=12*12*12

so we cannot add exponents for 12³*11³ because that means 12*12*12*11*11*11
it would not equal 12⁶ or 11⁶

or you  could refer to the rule

notice when x=x then we can add the bases

fun fact below
we can reverse a previous exponential rule like this
since then
therefor


we can't add the exponents because the bases are not the same