Before you study what is multiplication of like terms, you are advised to read:
What are Like Terms ?
What are Constants ?
What are Variables ?
How to Multiply Constant & Variable ?
How to Multiply Integers ?
Law of Exponent am X an = am+n
Following examples will help you understand this concept:
Example 1: Multiply b and b
Solution: Both the terms are like terms
Power of both term is 1
Now as per the Law of exponent, am X an = am+n, we get:
b1 X b1 = b2
Hence, b X b = b2
Example 2: Multiply 2q and 4q
Solution: As per the given question, both the given terms are like terms
Write terms in the multiplication expression and we get:
2q X 4q
Multiply constants and variable separately, as shown below:
(2 X 4) X (q X q)
Multiply constants as we multiply numbers and we get:
(8) X (q X q)
Multiply variables as per the Law of exponent, am X an = am+n, we get:
8 X q2
Multiply constant and variable and we get:
8q2
Hence, (2q X 4q) = 8q2
Example 3: Multiply 5a2 and 7a2
Solution: As per the given question, both the given terms are like terms
Write terms in the multiplication expression and we get:
5a2 X 7a2
Multiply constants and variable separately, as shown below:
(5 X 7) X (a2 X a2)
Multiply constants as we multiply numbers and we get:
(35) X (a2 X a2)
Multiply variables as per the Law of exponent, am X an = am+n, we get:
35 X a4
Multiply constant and variable and we get:
35 a4
Hence, (5a2 X 7a2) = 35a4
Example 4: Multiply -p3 and 3p3
Solution: As per the given question, both the given terms are like terms
Write terms in the multiplication expression and we get:
-p3 X 3p3
Multiply constants and variable separately, as shown below:
(-1 X 3 ) X (p3 X p3)
Multiply constants as we multiply positive and negative integers & we get:
(-3) X (p3 X p3)
Multiply variables as per the Law of exponent, am X an = am+n, we get:
-3 X p6
Multiply constant and variable and we get:
-3p6
Hence, (-p3 X 3p3) = (-3p6)
Example 5: Multiply -5ab3 and -2ab3
Solution: As per the given question, both the given terms are like terms
Write terms in the multiplication expression and we get:
-5ab3 X -2ab3
Multiply constants and variable separately, as shown below:
(-5 X -2 ) X (a X a) X (b3 X b3)
Multiply constants as we multiply two negative integers and we get:
(-10) X (a X a) X (b3 X b3)
Multiply variables as per the Law of exponent, am X an = am+n, we get:
(-10) X (a2) X (b6)
Multiply constant and variable and we get:
-10a2b6
Hence, (-5ab3 X -2ab3) = (-10a2b6)
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