Question

How do you simplify `(-x)^3 (-3x^2)^2`?

Answer 1

`-x^3 xx 9x^4 = -9x^7`

Explanation:

Simplify each factor first....
`(-x)^3 = -x^3" "` NB - an odd number of negatives `rArr` neg

`(-3x^2)^2 = +9x^4" "` Square the -3 and the `x^2`

`:. -x^3 xx 9x^4 = -9x^7`