Question

Choose the correct simplification of the expression (7ab^3)^2

Answer 1

Recall the rules for exponent notation. An exponent only affects the expression that it is attached to. In this example, the ^3 on b **only** affects b (not 7 or a) while the ^2 affects the entire expression inside the parentheses.

Expand the expression by using the exponent rules:

\[(x^{a})^{b}=x^{a*b}\] and \[x^{a}*x^{b}=x^{a+b}\]

in your case, simply apply the ^2 exponent to the 7, the a, and the b^3. lmk if you're having trouble, or just want to check your solution.