To simplify an expression with exponents, first simplify each term according to multiplication, division, distribution, and power to power rules. Then, combine like terms and arrange the terms, putting those with variables first, in order of highest exponent. Sometimes like terms are only evident when one rewrites some of the terms using the "power of a power" rule.

Example 1: Simplify (5x)² + (x³)² + (5x)(2x³).

(5x)² + (x³)² + (5x)(2x³)
= 5²x² + x³⁽²⁾ + (5)(2)x¹⁺³
= 25x² + x⁶ +10x⁴
= x⁶ +10x⁴ +25x²

Example 2: Simplify + (x³)⁷ -2x² +2x³.

+ (x³)⁷ -2x² +2x³
= x^6-8 + x³⁽⁷⁾ -2x² +2x³
= 5x^-2 + x²1 - 2x² +2x³
= x²1 + 2x³ -2x² +5x^-2

Example 3: Simplify 2x² +6x³ -3x³ + (4xy)² + (5 + x)³ -

2x² +6x³ -3x³ + (4xy)² + (5 + x)³ -
= 2x² +3x³ +4²x²y² + (5 + x)³ - x³
= 16x²y² + (5 + x)³ +2x³ +2x²

Example 4: Simplify (x² +2x²)⁵ - (3x³)(4x⁴) + (11x)²

(x² +2x²)⁵ - (3x³)(4x⁴) + (11x)²
= (3x²)⁵ - (3)(4)x³⁺⁴ +11²x²
= 3⁵x²⁽⁵⁾ -12x⁷ +121x²
= 243x¹0 - 12x⁷ +121x²

Example 5: Simplify (x + 3)⁵ + x⁵x⁴x³ -

(x + 3)⁵ + x⁵x⁴x³ -
= (x + 3)⁵ + x⁵⁺⁴⁺³ - (4x)^3-1
= (x + 3)⁵ + x¹2 - (4x)²
= (x + 3)⁵ + x¹2 - 4²x²
= (x + 3)⁵ + x¹2 - 16x²
= x¹2 + (x + 3)⁵ -16x²