# Math Help - High School Algebra

1. ## High School Algebra

I'd just like to check my work on the below problem, thanks in advance!

(-a)^3(-a^3)^6
----------------
(a^6)^9

I Hope I wrote that correct.

I got

- 1/a^33

or

-1
--
a^33

P.S.

Is the degree of this polynomial 4?

1-2x^4-2x^2

2. Originally Posted by cmanser
I'd just like to check my work on the below problem, thanks in advance!

(-a)^3(-a^3)^6
----------------
(a^6)^9

I Hope I wrote that correct.

I got

- 1/a^33

or

-1
--
a^33
you answer would not be negative. you have a negative times a negative in the top

EDIT: Actually, you (and CaptainBlack) are correct. the answer would be negative, since raisng a negative number to the 6th power makes it positive and then you are multiplying by a negative number (thanks CaptainBlack)

P.S.

Is the degree of this polynomial 4?

1-2x^4-2x^2
yes, you are correct. the degree of a polynomial is the highest power that occurs for any term

3. Thanks for the reply!

4. Originally Posted by cmanser
I'd just like to check my work on the below problem, thanks in advance!

(-a)^3(-a^3)^6
----------------
(a^6)^9

I Hope I wrote that correct.

I got

- 1/a^33

or

-1
--
a^33
Correct

P.S.

Is the degree of this polynomial 4?

1-2x^4-2x^2
Yes.

RonL

5. Originally Posted by Jhevon
you answer would not be negative. you have a negative times a negative in the top
Is that a yes or no?

The OP has:

(-a)^3(-a^3)^6
----------------
(a^6)^9

(-a)^3 is negative, (-a^3)^6 is positive so the whole thing is negative.

RonL