Question

exponential form: p^4 x q^4
do i add or multiply the raised numbers?

Answer 1

well u can do neither because the bases are not the same. if you had q^4xq^4 then u add the raised numbers. but the one base is p and the other is q so u can do neither

Answer 2

neither; they are unlike bases

Answer 3

Neither, it's just\[p ^{4}q ^{4}\]

Answer 4

so the expression cannot be simplified?
im just confused when i am supposed to add or multiply these. let me use another example so someone can tell me what the eff im doing wrong.

Answer 5

think of it as apples and oranges ... you can make a fruit salad out of it, but other than that they remain seperate

Answer 6

apples^4 + oranges^4 = .... well, thats all it can equal :)

Answer 7

lol.ok lishfosho

Answer 8

(8x^3-5x^2+5x)+(3x^3+9x^2-12x)
do i multiply or add the exponents?

Answer 9

the first question can be written as (pq)^4 or p^4q^4

Answer 10

If you want, you can change it to (PQ)^4

Combining is allowed like that; only if there's no addition involved.

Answer 11

thats simplified?
now im confuzzed.

Answer 12

second question...
open the second bracket and here u add like terms...

Answer 13

Neither again.

Answer 14

- so this is (pq)^4

Answer 15

Often times 'simplify' doesn't actually make things any simpler. They just want you to demonstrate knowledge of some algebraic property and cannot be bothered to tell you which one.

Answer 16

;p

Answer 17

For the second question:

(8x^3-5x^2+5x)+(3x^3+9x^2-12x)

You have to just combine your like terms.

Answer 18

so when i combine the 8x^3 + 3x^3 would that = 11x^6 or 11x^9 ?

Answer 19

You cannot do anything with exponents unless you are multiplying or exponentiating.

Answer 20

Therefore don't change the exponent.

Answer 21

its just 8x^3 + 3x^3. Leave it as it is.

Answer 22

Because you are adding, not multiplying.

Answer 23

11x^3

Answer 24

right, for the x^3'd terms.

Answer 25

that was ..... almost rude lol. I gave explanations on how to work it, but i understand your response to it :)

Answer 26

thank you so much and if i was multiplying, i would multiply the exponents?

Answer 27

how is that right? i thought you could combine all like terms?

Answer 28

is 9 the same as 3?

Answer 29

I am often almost rude. Sorry.

Answer 30

3^2 is not the same term then as 3^1

x^2 and x are just as unlike termed

Answer 31

If you are multiplying, you add exponents.

\[x^b \cdot x^c = x^{b+c}\]

If you exponentiate you multiply exponents
\[(x^b)^c = x^{b\cdot c}\]

Answer 32

Did you finish combining your terms for this one? What'd you get?

Answer 33

I got 11x^6+4x^4-7x^2

Answer 34

I am TERRIBLE at math, thank you all for your patience and my problem of NOT understanding.

Answer 35

No, you don't change the exponents.. remember?

Answer 36

so 11x^3+4x^2-7x

Answer 37

Correct.

Answer 38

Since you're only adding/subtracting the exponents don't change.

Answer 39

They only change if you multiply, divide, or exponentiate.

Answer 40

goodness, can you just take my final for me? haha.

Answer 41

Mathematics is not an innate skill. There's no magic, just hard work and practice. If you do that, you will get better. I promise. =)

Answer 42

Thank you. So since you help out and don't tell me the answer, I am understanding it much better. With exponential form.(5^4)(5^7)(5^8) would this be 5^19 ?

Answer 43

Yes!

Answer 44

YAY. go me! haha Thank you! (I am sure I will be back...haha)