Factor out the base from a power

When the exponent of a power is s a sum it can be rewritten according to a^(m+n)=a^m* a^n. If one of the terms is 1, one of the factors is the base, leading to the exponent decreasing by 1 from the original power. 8^4=8^(1+3)=8^1*8^3=8*8^3.