%5E2.jpeg "(3a)^2")
Understanding (3a)^2
In mathematics, the expression (3a)^2 represents the square of the entire term (3a). This means we multiply (3a) by itself:
(3a)^2 = (3a) * (3a)
To simplify this expression, we apply the distributive property of multiplication:
(3a) * (3a) = (3 * 3) * (a * a)
This results in:
(3a)^2 = 9a^2
Key Points to Remember:
- The exponent applies to the entire term inside the parentheses. Therefore, both the coefficient (3) and the variable (a) are squared.
- Squaring a variable means multiplying it by itself. So, a^2 = a * a.
Example:
Let's say a = 2. We can substitute this value into the expression:
(3a)^2 = (3 * 2)^2 = 6^2 = 36
Therefore, when a = 2, (3a)^2 equals 36.
In conclusion, (3a)^2 simplifies to 9a^2, where the coefficient is squared and the variable is also squared.