Can someone please explain in detail how to solve (3ab)(-5ab) using distributing? Like, in a lot of detail. It's my first time doing a math problem in a LONG time.

Question

Can someone please explain in detail how to solve (3ab)(-5ab) using distributing?  Like, in a lot of detail.  It's my first time doing a math problem in a LONG time.

anonymous · Answer

sorry give me a moment and i ll explain u

sburchette · Answer

With this are multiplying two monomials. You can combine variables with like bases by using exponent rules.  First you can multiply the coefficients 3 and -5 to get -15. So now we have
$$-15(ab)(ab)$$ 
To multiply the variables, you will use the exponent rule for multiplication which is
$$(a^n)(a^m)=a ^{m+n}$$ Meaning that you add the exponents if the bases are the same. So in the case of a*a you have
$$a^1*a^1=a^{1+1}=a^2$$
And with the b variables you have
$$b^1*b^1=b^{1+1}=b^2$$
So combining all of these parts we end up with $$-15a^2b^2$$