Question

How do you multiply `(- 9q ^ { - 3} ) ( 6q ^ { 17} )`?

Answer 1

`-54q^14`

Explanation:

To multiply factors together, consider the:

• signs?
• numbers?
• variables and indices?

`color(red)(-)color(blue)(9)color(forestgreen)(q^-3) xx color(blue)(6)color(forestgreen)(q^17)`

`= color(red)(-)color(blue)(9xx6)xxcolor(forestgreen)(q^-3 xx q^17)`

`= color(red)(-)color(blue)(54)color(forestgreen)(q^14)`

• signs `rarr` negative `xx` positive = negative
• numbers`" "rarr " "6 xx9=54`
• variables and indices `" "rarr` add the indices of like bases