Which expression represents the simplest form of (2x3y4)(4x2y5) (2·x3·y4)·(4·x2·y5) Write the x3 as x·x·x Write the y4 as y·y·y·y Write the x2 as x·x Write the y5 as y·y·y·y·y (2·x·x·x·y·y·y·y)·(4·x·x·y·y·y·y·y) We don't need the parentheses since everything is multiplied 2·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·4·x·x·y·y·y·y·y Rearrange it so that the numbers are together and the like letters are togetner 2·4·x·x·x·x·x·y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y Multiply the 2 by the 4 and get 8 Write the x·x·x·x·x as x5 Write the y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y·y as y9 So you end up with 8x5y9 Here's an easier way which amounts to doing the same thing: (2x3y4)(4x2y5) Multiply the 2 by the 4, get 8 Add the exponents of x, which are 3 and 2. 3+2 = 5, so write x5 Add the exponents of y, which are 4 and 5, 4+5 = 9, so write x9 Answer: 8x5y9 Edwin