Mathematics » Polynomials II » Use Multiplication Properties of Exponents

# Simplify Expressions Using the Product to a Power Property

## Simplifying Expressions Using the Product to a Power Property

We will now look at an expression containing a product that is raised to a power. Can you find this pattern?

$$\begin{array}{cccc}& & & \phantom{\rule{4em}{0ex}}{\left(2x\right)}^{3}\hfill \\ \text{What does this mean?}\hfill & & & \phantom{\rule{4em}{0ex}}2x·2x·2x\hfill \\ \text{We group the like factors together.}\hfill & & & \phantom{\rule{4em}{0ex}}2·2·2·x·x·x\hfill \\ \text{How many factors of 2 and of}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}x?\hfill & & & \phantom{\rule{4em}{0ex}}{2}^{3}·{x}^{3}\hfill \end{array}$$

Notice that each factor was raised to the power and $${\left(2x\right)}^{3}$$ is $${2}^{3}·{x}^{3}$$.

$$\begin{array}{cccc}\text{We write:}\hfill & & & \phantom{\rule{4em}{0ex}}{\left(2x\right)}^{3}\hfill \\ & & & \phantom{\rule{4em}{0ex}}{2}^{3}·{x}^{3}\hfill \end{array}$$

The exponent applies to each of the factors! This leads to the Product to a Power Property for Exponents.

### Product to a Power Property for Exponents

If $$a$$ and $$b$$ are real numbers and $$m$$ is a whole number, then

$${\left(ab\right)}^{m}={a}^{m}{b}^{m}$$

To raise a product to a power, raise each factor to that power.

An example with numbers helps to verify this property:

$$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill {\left(2·3\right)}^{2}& \stackrel{?}{=}\hfill & {2}^{2}·{3}^{2}\hfill \\ \hfill {6}^{2}& \stackrel{?}{=}\hfill & 4·9\hfill \\ \hfill 36& =\hfill & 36\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{✓}\hfill \end{array}$$

## Example

Simplify:

1. $${\left(-9d\right)}^{2}$$
2. $${\left(3mn\right)}^{3}.$$

### Solution

1.
 Use Power of a Product Property, (ab)m = ambm. Simplify.
2.
 Use Power of a Product Property, (ab)m = ambm. Simplify.