This activity is about the multiplication of algebraic terms with powers.
Example
Simplify:
2a3b × 5a4b2
Answer
Break down what 2a3b and 5a4b2 mean and multiply them.
We get:
2 × a × a × a × b × 5 × a × a × a × a × b × b
Bring the numbers to the front and separate the letters to get:
2 × 5 × a × a × a × a × a × a × a × b × b × b
This gives us
10 × a × a × a × a × a × a × a × b × b × b
which simplifies to
10a7b3
Quick method
Simplify:
2a3b × 5a4b2
Answer
Take the terms one at a time.
Start by multiplying the numbers (2 × 5 = 10).
Then deal with the indices of identical letters by adding the powers: for a: 3 + 4 = 7 and for b: 1 + 2 = 3
Answer is 10a7b3.
Shall we try some questions now?
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This activity is about the multiplication of algebraic terms with powers.
Example
Simplify:
2a3b × 5a4b2
Answer
Break down what 2a3b and 5a4b2 mean and multiply them.
We get:
2 × a × a × a × b × 5 × a × a × a × a × b × b
Bring the numbers to the front and separate the letters to get:
2 × 5 × a × a × a × a × a × a × a × b × b × b
This gives us
10 × a × a × a × a × a × a × a × b × b × b
which simplifies to
10a7b3
Quick method
Simplify:
2a3b × 5a4b2
Answer
Take the terms one at a time.
Start by multiplying the numbers (2 × 5 = 10).
Then deal with the indices of identical letters by adding the powers: for a: 3 + 4 = 7 and for b: 1 + 2 = 3
Answer is 10a7b3.
Shall we try some questions now?
Question
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Teacher explanation