I'm confused about what to do with the exponents when adding in a problem like this. I know to add exponents when multiplying, but what about when adding?? All patience is appreciated!
2007-02-26 10:32:05 · 7 answers · asked by Donnao 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
What you can do with this depends on what the problem is asking for. Are you supposed to factor or simplify it? Are you supposed to find x?
You can't combine two terms with different exponent values. To add, they would have to have the exact same exponent, for example x^2 + x^2 = 2x^2. However, you can factor the terms: x^2 + x^3 = x^2(1 + x).
If you know that x^2 + x^3 is supposed to equal some number (say... n), then you can use the factoring to determine that x^2(1+x) = n, and from there you may be able to figure out what x is.
2007-02-26 10:42:50 · answer #1 · answered by Matichel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You keep the exponents, because this is the most simplified it can be as an expression. Try this as an example; x=3.
3^2 + 3^3 = 9 + 27 = 38.
Even if you tried x=2, and the solution is 16, 16 is the -fourth- power of 2, not the fifth.
Also, it is only when you divide and multiply when you do something to the exponents. Multiplication Example: x^2 * x^3 = x^(2+ 3) = x^5
Division Example: x^2 / x^3 = x^(2 - 3) = x^(-1)
Just use the Order of Operations, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
P.S. I forgot the properties name. But I hope this is helpful.
2007-02-26 18:47:38 · answer #2 · answered by R. S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When adding, only like terms may be combined. That means terms with the exact same variable(s) AND exponents. So these two terms cannot be combined since they have different exponents. All you could do is factor out x^2 making it
x^2(1 + x)
2007-02-26 18:41:32 · answer #3 · answered by hayharbr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot add these terms.
only terms withs same exact exponent can be added.
example: x^2+X^2= 2X^2
or X^5+X^5= 2X^5
but X^2+X^3= not able to be done because exponents are not alike
2007-02-26 18:48:38 · answer #4 · answered by insanemuffin819 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in order to add that u'll need variables with the same exponent
2007-02-26 18:37:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you do exactly like that says, first do x^2 then add x^3, there isnt another way i dont think.
2007-02-26 18:36:22 · answer #6 · answered by new b-boy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This can not be simplified.
2007-02-26 18:36:36 · answer #7 · answered by dreamer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋