Simplify -2x^3 * 5x^2 Step by Step

Step by step

Question: simplify −(2x³)(5x²).

Brackets next to each other mean times.

−(2x³)(5x²)

In times, the order does not matter.

So numbers go with numbers, and each letter goes with the same letter.

order does not matter: ab = ba

We put them in groups.

= −(2 × 5)(x³ x²)

A power tells how many times the letter is multiplied.

x³ is 3 x's.

x² is 2 x's.

Together that is 5 x's.

x³ x² = (xxx)(xx) = x⁵

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

3 plus 2 is 5.

3 + 2 = 5

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

2 times 5 is 10.

So we get −10x⁵.

= −10x⁵

Let's look back.

First: numbers with numbers.

Last: count the letters.

Answer

= −10x⁵