3.1 Multiplying powers

Introduction

When starting out with multiplying powers, expand the powers, and then multiply.

For example, $a^2*a^3=(a*a)*(a*a*a)=a*a*a*a*a=a^5$

Another example, $7x^2*5x^2=(7*x*x)*(5*x*x)=(7*5)*(x*x*x*x)=35x^4$

Be careful if the question asks you to add or multiply the powers.

For example, if asked $2a^2+3a^2$ , since the powers are both squared (i.e. little 2 at the top), you can add the coefficients, i.e. $2a^2+3a^2=(2+3)a^2=5a^2$
Alternatively, if asked $2a^2*3a^2$ , expand and multiply as before, i.e. $=(2*3)*(a*a)*(a*a)=6a^4$