Question

How do I simply a(exponent 4) • a

Answer 1

Here is your equation:

$a^{4} \times a$

First simplify the exponent.

$a^{4} = a \times a \times a \times a$

Since the power is 4, you multiply a 4 times. Don't forget about the remaining a. Add that and it becomes:

$a \times a \times a \times a \times a$

It is the same as $a^{5}$ because you're multiplying 5 a's. That's why the power is 5.

Your answer is $a^{5}$