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Terms with Powers

Terms with Powers

As with numeric powers, a×a=a2, with the small 2 meaning that a has been multiplied by itself.

Multiplying a2 by a is the same as a×a×a, which is written as a3.

Like terms are multiplied together. a2b2xab2 is the same as

a×a×b×b x a×b×b

= a×a×a×b×b×b×b

= a3b4

Example 1

Simplify a×a2

a×a2=a×a×a=a3

Answer: a3

Example 2

Multiply ab3 by a2b

ab3 x a2b

= a×b×b×b×a×a×b

= a3b4

Answer: a3b4

See also Integer Powers and Roots