How to simplify this?

Question

x^2(a(a-1)x^(a-2))+4x(ax^(a-1))

How does the expression above simplify to

a(a-1)x^a+4ax^a?

Answer 1

x^2(a(a-1)x^(a-2))+4x(ax^(a-1))

= (a(a-1)x^2 * x^(a-2))+4(ax*x^(a-1)), commutative property of multiplication

= a(a-1)x^a+4ax^a, since x^2 * x^(a-2) = x^a, and x*x^(a-1) = x^a

Answer 2

Take your time and calm down. The answer will eventually come to you looking like this:

x^2 * (a(a-1)x^(a-2))+4x(ax^(a-1)) (you forgot a key multiplication sign)

= x² * a *(a-1) * x^a-2 + 4xa * x^a-1

= a(a-1) * x²x^a-2+ 4ax^a

= a(a-1)x^a + 4ax^a