To simplify an expression with exponents, first simplify each term
according to multiplication, division, distribution, and power to
power rules. Then, combine like terms and arrange the terms, putting
those with variables first, in order of highest exponent. Sometimes
like terms are only evident when one rewrites some of the terms using
the "power of a power" rule.
Example 1: Simplify (5x)2 + (x3)2 + (5x)(2x3).
(5x)2 + (x3)2 + (5x)(2x3)
= 52x2 + x3(2) + (5)(2)x1+3
= 25x2 + x6 +10x4
= x6 +10x4 +25x2
Example 2: Simplify
+ (x3)7 -2x2 +2x3.
+ (x3)7 -2x2 +2x3
=
x6-8 + x3(7) -2x2 +2x3
= 5x-2 + x21 - 2x2 +2x3
= x21 + 2x3 -2x2 +5x-2
Example 3: Simplify 2x2 +6x3 -3x3 + (4xy)2 + (5 + x)3 -
2x2 +6x3 -3x3 + (4xy)2 + (5 + x)3 -
= 2x2 +3x3 +42x2y2 + (5 + x)3 - x3
= 16x2y2 + (5 + x)3 +2x3 +2x2
Example 4: Simplify (x2 +2x2)5 - (3x3)(4x4) + (11x)2
(x2 +2x2)5 - (3x3)(4x4) + (11x)2
= (3x2)5 - (3)(4)x3+4 +112x2
= 35x2(5) -12x7 +121x2
= 243x10 - 12x7 +121x2
Example 5: Simplify (x + 3)5 + x5x4x3 -
(x + 3)5 + x5x4x3 -
= (x + 3)5 + x5+4+3 - (4x)3-1
= (x + 3)5 + x12 - (4x)2
= (x + 3)5 + x12 - 42x2
= (x + 3)5 + x12 - 16x2
= x12 + (x + 3)5 -16x2