When multiplying terms with the same base but different exponents, add the exponents. For example, x6 * x8 = x14 since 6 + 8 = 14. If the terms have coefficients, multiply the coefficients normally and add the exponents of like bases. Variables cannot be combined if they are not the same, such as xy3 * x2y4 = x3y7, where the x and y exponents are kept separate.
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Multiplying Exponents
1. Multiplying bases that have exponents is actually very simple. All you need to do is add the exponents on the like bases. That's it. If your variables have coefficients, multiply them as usual.<br />Think of it this way, if you had (22Â Â * 23 ). If you write out the bases, it would look like (2*2*2*2*2)....which can be written as 25 (since you are multiplying 2 five times). Instead of writing out the bases, you could have just added the exponents 2 + 3 = 5. The only rule is that the bases must be the same.<br />Examples,<br />1. x6 * x8 = x14<br />2. x-3 * x8 = x5<br />3. 2y8 * 3y-2 = 6y6Â ...Just multiply the coefficients and then follow the rule.<br />4. xy3 * x2y4 = x3y7 ...Don't add the exponents for the x's with the y's...they are different <br />Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â variables.<br />