Why do we add the exponents when multiplying monomials that have the same base? Please help me thank you.

Positive whole number exponents represent repeated multiplication of the base.

For example, 2^3 means 2*2*2. We have 3 copies of the base 2 multiplied

Another example: 2^4 = 2*2*2*2 showing four copies of '2' multiplied

When multiplying 2^3 with 2^4, we have 3+4 = 7 copies of 2 multiplied overall. Notice I added the exponents. So 2^3*2^4 = 2^(3+4) = 2^7

The general rule is that a^b*a^c = a^(b+c)

When multiplying 2 monomials together like (x^(2)*x^(2). We add the exponents together because what you are actually doing is (x*x*x)*(x*x) if you attempted to add the base  you would be instead add x^(3) +x^(2) and within algebra, you are taught you can't add these terms together because they both have a different degree to them. Hope that helps clarify the difference.