1. ## Exponent help

Okay, I have been studying some of my weak points in simplifying expressions and exponents and need a confirmation to see if I understand this correctly. I haven't read this anywhere yet specifically, but have been confused over it until yesterday. So, here's my idea of things so far:

If I have something like x + x, (x plus x), I think it would simplify to 2x, but if I have something like x*x, (x times x) it would simplify as x^2, or x squared. Is this correct? Adding like terms creates multiplication while multiplying like terms creates an exponent? If this is the case, would it also work for a larger number of terms? Such as x+x+x equaling 3x and x*x*x equaling x^3 (x cubed). Also, is there anything else to watch out for with these situations? Thanks sent in advance!

2. Originally Posted by GuitarNinja2008
Okay, I have been studying some of my weak points in simplifying expressions and exponents and need a confirmation to see if I understand this correctly. I haven't read this anywhere yet specifically, but have been confused over it until yesterday. So, here's my idea of things so far:

If I have something like x + x, (x plus x), I think it would simplify to 2x, but if I have something like x*x, (x times x) it would simplify as x^2, or x squared. Is this correct? Adding like terms creates multiplication while multiplying like terms creates an exponent? If this is the case, would it also work for a larger number of terms? Such as x+x+x equaling 3x and x*x*x equaling x^3 (x cubed). Also, is there anything else to watch out for with these situations? Thanks sent in advance!
it is true

x+x+x = 3x , x*x*x = x^3

x+x+x+x = 4x , x*x*x*x = x^4

and so no

is there anything else to watch out for with these situations?
if it remains like this it is fine
I can't tell u since I do not know what is the problems u have or what is your level exactly, maybe just somethings like this

x+x+x-x+x-x+x for example arrange them

x+x+x+x+x-x-x

5x -x-x = 5x -2x = 3x

3. Okay, thank you very much. This helped out alot. =)