Brepretty7
Answered

Welcome to Westonci.ca, the place where your questions find answers from a community of knowledgeable experts. Get immediate answers to your questions from a wide network of experienced professionals on our Q&A platform. Explore comprehensive solutions to your questions from a wide range of professionals on our user-friendly platform.

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

Sagot :

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)

View image jimthompson5910

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.

Thanks for using our platform. We aim to provide accurate and up-to-date answers to all your queries. Come back soon. Your visit means a lot to us. Don't hesitate to return for more reliable answers to any questions you may have. Get the answers you need at Westonci.ca. Stay informed by returning for our latest expert advice.