Simplify a^4 * a

Step by step, with the reason for every step · Exponent rules · Algebra 1

Step by step

Question: simplify (a⁴)(a).

Brackets next to each other mean times.

(a⁴)(a)

A power tells how many times the letter is multiplied.

a⁴ is 4 a's.

a is 1 a.

Together that is 5 a's.

a⁴ a = (aaaa)(a) = a⁵

So the rule is: same letter, times, add the powers.

4 plus 1 is 5.

4 + 1 = 5

x^a x^b = x^{a + b}

So we get a⁵.

= a⁵

Answer

= a⁵

Try this one yourself, then check:

Simplify (a³)(a)

Show the answer

a⁴