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Basic Math/simplify algebra

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Expert: Josh - 8/9/2006


Question
i'm not sure how to distribute the exponent 4 into(2x)

Answer
Hi Sergio,

Is your question about index law?

e.g.1, x^4 = x^2 * x^2 = (x^2)^2
e.g.2, x^5 = x^2 * x^3

In example 1, when we raise the quantity (x^a) to the power of b, we multiply the indices "a" and "b" to get x^(ab).

In example 2, when we multiply two quantities (x^a) and (x^b), we simply add the two indices to get x^(a+b).

I am not too sure about your question. Perhaps you could explain what you mean by giving a specific example?

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Josh

Expertise

When I work through problems, I like to emphasize concepts which I believe are worth noting. I will try to answer questions in the following areas, but not at the advanced level. Algebra. Sequences & Series. Trigonometry. Functions & Graphs. Coordinate Geometry. Quadratic Polynomials. Exponential & Logarithms. Basic Calculus. Probability, Permutation and Combination. Mathematical Induction. Complex numbers. Physics problems.

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I have worked as a teaching assistant in college. My hope is that more people will share knowledge without boundary, give help without seeking recognition or monetary rewards.

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Bachelor degree in Engineering Science

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