Learn Before
Example

Example of Expanding ama^m and (9)5(-9)^5

To expand an exponential expression, the base is multiplied by itself the number of times indicated by the exponent. For instance, the general algebraic expression ama^m expands into mm factors of the base aa, written as aaaa \cdot a \cdot \dots \cdot a (mm factors). Similarly, a numerical example like (9)5(-9)^5 involves multiplying the base 9-9 by itself 55 times, which is written in expanded notation as (9)(9)(9)(9)(9)(-9)(-9)(-9)(-9)(-9). These expansions visually illustrate the repeated multiplication defined by exponential notation.

Image 0

0

1

Updated 2026-05-26

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra