Question

Which values of a and b make the following equation true
(5x^7y^2) (-4x^4y^5) = -20x^a y^b

Answer 1

In x^7•x^4, how many x’s are multiplied together? (There’s 7 in the first factor and 4 in the second.)

x^7•x^4 = x^__? This is your a-value.

Similarly, y^2•y^5 = y^__? How many y’s are there in total being multiplied? This is your b-value.