SOLUTION: Could you help me solve this problem? -(3x) to the second power

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Question 261737: Could you help me solve this problem?
-(3x) to the second power
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(-3x)^2 = (-3*x)^2 = (-3)^2 * x^2 = 9x^2

another way of looking at is:

(-3x)^2 = (-3x)*(-3x) = (-3*x) * (-3*x) = (-3)*(-3)*(x)*(x) = (-3)^2 * (x)^2 = 9*x^2 = 9x^2

* means to multiply.

example: 3*3 = 9.

^ means to the power of.

example: 3^2 = 3 to the power of 2 = 3 squared = 9.

in general:

(a*b)^n = a^n*b^n

this means:

(a times b) to the nth power = a to the nth power times b to the nth power.

in your problem:

a was equal to 3
b was equal to x
n was equal to 2