Question

What is `4a^2 * 4a^3`?

Answer 1

`16a^5`

Explanation:

`4a^2•4a^3" means "4a^2xx4a^3`

Since these numbers are being multiplied together we can place them in any order.

That is `3xx5xx4=5xx4xx3=60`

so `4a^2xx4a^3=4xx4xxa^2xxa^3`

now `4xx4=16rArr16xxa^2xxa^3`

Using `color(blue)"rules of indices (exponents)"`

`•a^mxxa^n=a^(m+n)`

`rArra^2xxa^3=a^(2+3)=a^5`

`rArr4a^2xx4a^3=16a^5`