Which of the following is the best immediate test to use in order to decide if the quotient rule can be applied?

Apply the quotient rule whenever the exponents are whole numbers, no matter what the bases are.

Convert all bases to decimals first, then compare their numerical values before using any exponent rules.

Check whether the numerator and denominator have exactly the same nonzero base. If they do, you can subtract the exponents. Otherwise, convert the bases to a common base or expand and cancel.

Apply the quotient rule when the exponents are equal, even if the bases are different.