(3a)^2 Without Exponents

Jasonbradley

2 min read

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Jun 16, 2024

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Understanding (3a)^2 Without Exponents

The expression (3a)^2 is a mathematical expression that involves an exponent. While it's easy to solve using the exponent, let's explore how to understand and solve it without relying on exponents.

Breaking it Down

What does (3a)^2 mean? It signifies that we are multiplying the term (3a) by itself, two times.

Let's break it down further:

• (3a) = 3 * a (This represents the multiplication of the coefficient 3 and the variable 'a')

Therefore, (3a)^2 can be written as:

• (3a) * (3a)

Expanding the Expression

Now, we can use the distributive property of multiplication to expand the expression:

• (3 * a) * (3 * a)
• (3 * 3) * (a * a)

Simplifying the expression:

• 9 * a^2

Conclusion

We have successfully expanded and simplified (3a)^2 without relying on exponents. We achieved this by understanding that the exponent indicates repeated multiplication and by applying the distributive property.

Remember, understanding the underlying principles of mathematics helps you solve problems in different ways and build a stronger foundation in the subject.