This activity is about the multiplication of algebraic terms with powers.
Example
Simplify:
2a3 × 5a4
Answer
Remember what 2a3 and 5a4 mean and multiply them.
We get:
2 × a × a × a × 5 × a × a × a × a
Bring the numbers to the front to get:
2 × 5 × a × a × a × a × a × a × a
This gives us
10 × a × a × a × a × a × a × a
which simplifies to
10a7
Quick method
Multiply the numbers (2 × 5 = 10).
Add the indices of identical letters (3 + 4 = 7).
Answer is 10a7.
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Teacher explanation