Answer:
45
Step-by-step explanation:

Now, If the exponent was negative like you asked....
There are

ways of pairing up any 2 members from the pool of
contestants. Note that

so that

7x300=7x 3 hundres because in 300 hundreds there is 3 hundreds.I know that didnt make sense.so basically just look at the front number number its 3 so 3 hundreds but if your working with thousands and the front number is 5 its 5 thousands.I hope this was helpful.