Flashcard 4 - Mathematics Knowledge Flashcard Set for the ASVAB

Apply these rules for exponents:

\[(x^a)^b = x^{(a \cdot b)}\] \[x^a \cdot x^b = x^{(a+b)}\] \[cx^a + dx^a = (c + d)\cdot x^a\]

and then the Order of Operations, or PEMDAS, rule (Remember: “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally”)

This problem applies some rules for exponents and the PEMDAS rule to arrive at the correct answer: \(4b^{21} + b^2\)
For exponents, we use the following, as shown with equations above:
To raise a variable with an exponent to another exponent, multiply the exponents.
To multiply the same variables with different exponents, add the exponents.
To add variables with the same exponents, add the coefficients and copy the exponent.
Then, applying the PEMDAS rule for this question, simplify exponents first, perform multiplication next, then perform addition.