SOLUTION: I am trying to help my son find the powers of a monomial, eg: -4x^2(-4x)^2, and (4a^2b^3)^2. My problem is not having done this for over 30 years, I'm a bit rusty in the process

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: I am trying to help my son find the powers of a monomial, eg: -4x^2(-4x)^2, and (4a^2b^3)^2. My problem is not having done this for over 30 years, I'm a bit rusty in the process      Log On


   

Question 14732: I am trying to help my son find the powers of a monomial, eg: -4x^2(-4x)^2, and (4a^2b^3)^2.
My problem is not having done this for over 30 years, I'm a bit rusty in the process. CAn you show me the steps?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Consider this:
1) -4x%5E2+=+-4x%5E2 but %28-4x%29%5E2+=%28-4x%29%28-4x%29 = 16x%5E2
So, -4x%5E2%28-4x%29%5E2+=+-4x%5E2%2816x%5E2%29 = -64x%5E4
2) %284a%5E2b%5E3%29%5E2+=+%284%5E2%29%28a%5E2%29%5E2%28b%5E3%29%5E2 = = 16a%5E4b%5E6