What is the rule to solve any problems dealing with exponents

It is always multiplied. do not be fooled, the bigger number (base) is not multiplied by the smaller number (exponent). it means how many times the bigger number (base) will be multiplied by itself. example: if 6 is base, then 2 is exponent, you would not multiply 6 by 2. but 6 by 6. which equals 36.