Simplify a^4 x a^5

Question = Simplify a4 x a5-------------------------------------------So here we have two 'groups' of a being multiplied together. We can rewrite a4 and a5 as the following:a4 = a x a x a x aa5 = a x a x a x a x aIf we substitute these into the original question we have:a4 x a5 = a x a x a x a x a x a x a x a x aIf we count these we have 9 lots of a multiplied together, so this can be rewritten as a9.Notice that 4 + 5 = 9, so when we multiply two identical values or letters (these are sometimes called "variables") that are presented in index / power form, we can simply add the powers together.So, to conclude: a4x a5 = a9, which we can obtain from the techniques of multiplying indices.

FA
Answered by Finn A. Maths tutor

8304 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

There are 10 balls in a bag. The balls are the same apart from their colour. Of the 10 balls, 3 are black, 5 white, 2 red. What is the probability of picking a white ball from the bag.


A linear equation has terms: a+2b, a + 6b, a + 10b, ......., ........ the second term equals 8 and the fifth term equals 44. Work out the value of a & b


Write x^2+4x-12 in the form (x+a)^2+b where 'a' and 'b' are constants to be determined.


given that (x+8)^2-62=ax^2+bx+c find the values of a,b and c (3 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning