Question

The length of one side of a square is 3m^4. What is the area of the square? (A = I x w)

Answer 1

Answer: Choice C)  9m^8

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Explanation:

Each side of the square is the same, so we have length = width in this case.

Length = 3m^4

Width = 3m^4

Area = (length)*(width) = (3m^4)*(3m^4) = (3*3)*(m^4*m^4) = 9m^8

Note how m^4*m^4 leads to m^8. We add the exponents.

The general rule is a^b*a^c = a^(b+c).

Answer 2

Answer: 9m^8

*Use the distributive property.

(3m^4)^2 = 3^2 * (m^4 * m^2) = 9m^8