Can we add these guys?

x^2 + x^3

No way, dude!  Not like terms!

So...  Can we multiply them?

(x^2)(x^3)

Totally!  Just write out what each one means and see what happens:

algebra problem

That wasn't bad.

What about this guy?      (w^3)(w^4)

(w^3)(w^4) = (w)(w)(w)(w)(w)(w)(w) = w^7

 


TRY IT:

Simplify    (y)(y^6)