Question

Which of the following is equivalent to the expression (3ab)(-5ab)?
A. -2ab
B. -2a^2b^2
C. -15ab
D. -15a^2b^2
When solving this problem i got A. but the answer is D. I want to know what i did wrong and how to solve this.

Answer 1

D is the correct answer

Answer 2

okay well let's see what your work was to get A

Answer 3

3*-5 = -15

a*a = a^2

b*b = b^2

Answer 4

you're multiplying them, not adding them

Answer 5

(3ab)(-5ab)

3 * -5 = 15 and a * a = a^2 and b * b = b^2

Answer 6

does our work help

Answer 7

do you always multiply the exponents?

Answer 8

no, you are adding the exponents

a^1 * a^1 = a^2