Question

What is `-5ab^3 * 7a^2b^3`?

Answer 1

`-35a^3b^6`

Explanation:

First, rearrange to group like terms:

`(-5*7)(a*a^2)(b^3*b^3) = -35(a*a^2)(b^3*b^3)`

Next, use these rules for exponents to multiply the variable terms:

`a = a^color(red)(1)`

`x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) = x^(color(red)(a) +color(blue)(b))`

`-35(a^color(red)(1)*a^2)(b^3*b^3) = -35a^(1+2)b^(3+3) = -35a^3b^6`