Question

How do you multiply `(- 3a ^ { 2} b ) ( - 2a b ^ { 8} )`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite this as:

`(-3 * -2)(a^2 * a)(b ^ b^8) => 6(a^2 * a)(b * b^8)`

Next, use this rule of exponents to rewrite the `a` and `b` term:

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

`6(a^2 * a)(b * b^8) => 6(a^2 * a^1)(b^1 * b^8)`

Now, use this rule of exponents to complete the multiplication of the `a` and `b` terms:

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

`6(a^color(red)(2) * a^color(blue)(1))(b^color(red)(1) * b^color(blue)(8)) => 6a^(color(red)(2)+color(blue)(1))b^(color(red)(1)+color(blue)(8)) => 6a^3b^9`