What is 2x^2(3x)

Question

How do you simplify multiplying monomials for example 2x^2(3x) I am having trouble understanding how to simplify these types of question 

Answer 1

Please help clarify the question.  Is it supposed to be:

 

What is 2x² * 3x?

 

If that is the case,

1. Multiply the numbers: 3 * 2 = 6

2. Add the exponents of like variables: 2 + 1 = 3

       Remember that any variable without a number is raised to 1 

       3x is actually 3x¹

 

Your answer is 6x^3.

 

Answer 2

Hi Jesse.

 

I'm reading your expression as

 

2x²(3x)

 

Since this is multiplication, I"m going to take advantage of the commutative property and rearrange the terms

 

(2)(3) x² x

 

From this arrangement, let's group together the coefficients and then the variables.

 

[(2)(3)][x² x]

 

The (2)(3) = 6

so we need to address the [x²x]

 

We need to remember that when we are multiplying two items with the same base (x) having exponents, we add together the exponents.  Also remember that x = x¹

With this in mind [x²x] = [x²x¹] = x²⁺¹ = x³

 

So, 2x²(3x) = 6x³