ISEE Upper Level Math : How to multiply exponential variables

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To multiply variables with exponents, add the exponents. With multiple variables, simply add the exponents for each different variable.

Simplified:

Example Question #2 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To multiply variables with exponents, add the exponents. When there are constants mixed in, multiply the constants separately and put back in the final result:

Example Question #3 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To multiply variables with exponents, add the exponents. So,

A longer way would be to write out all the multiplies the exponent tells us to do. This is a little clearer on why adding the exponents works but takes longer and isn't necessary once you understand the process.

Example Question #4 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Factor completely:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is the greatest common factor of each term, so distribute it out:

We try to factor  by finding two integers with product 4 and sum . However, both of our possible factor pairs fail, since  and .

 is the complete factorization.

Example Question #4 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Multiply:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This can be achieved by using the pattern of difference of squares:

Applying the binomial square pattern:

Example Question #5 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Factor completely:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The greatest common factor of the terms in  is , so factor that out:

Since all factors here are linear, this is the complete factorization.

Example Question #6 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Exponentiate:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The cube of a sum pattern can be applied here:

Example Question #7 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Write in expanded form:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The cube of a sum pattern can be applied here:

Example Question #8 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Factor completely:

Possible Answers:

The expression cannot be factored.

Correct answer:

The expression cannot be factored.

Explanation:

A trinomial with leading coefficient  can be factored by looking for two integers to fill in the boxes:

.

The numbers should have product 20 and sum . However, all of the possible factor pairs fail:

The polynomial is prime.

Example Question #9 : How To Multiply Exponential Variables

Factor completely:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 can be seen to be a perfect square trinomial by taking the square root of the first and last terms, multiplying their product by 2, then comparing it to the second term:

Therefore,

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