help please

Question

If the expression (2x^3)^2(-5x^4) was placed in the form ax^b, where a and b are integers, then what ia the value of a+b? Show the work that leads to your answer.

Answer 1

(2x^3)^2(-5x^4)

(2x^3)(2x^3)(-5x^4)

-20x^10

   ax^b

a=-20 and b=10

a+b=-20+10

a+b=-10

Answer 2

The equation is as follows:

(2x²)² * (-5x⁴)

 

Expanding the first element, we have this:

(2x²)(2x²) * (-5x⁴)

4x²⁺² * (-5x⁴)

4x⁴ * (-5x⁴)

4*-5*x⁴*x⁴

-20x⁴⁺⁴

-20x⁸

 

Therefore, a = -20 and b = 8, so a + b = -20 + 8 = -12