What is #-5ab^3 * 7a^2b^3#?

1 Answer
Jan 31, 2017

#-35a^3b^6#

Explanation:

First, rearrange to group like terms:

#(-5*7)(a*a^2)(b^3*b^3) = -35(a*a^2)(b^3*b^3)#

Next, use these rules for exponents to multiply the variable terms:

#a = a^color(red)(1)#

#x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) = x^(color(red)(a) +color(blue)(b))#

#-35(a^color(red)(1)*a^2)(b^3*b^3) = -35a^(1+2)b^(3+3) = -35a^3b^6#