# Multiplying different bases with different exponent

• June 19th 2011, 01:09 PM
timmeh
Multiplying different bases with different exponent
I'm doing a very basic pre algebra "refreshment", and for an assignment I need to simplify the following, leaving my answer as a single base raised to a single exponent:

9^2 * 12^3 * 2

I can't seem to find the steps needed to get the answer which is supposed to be 6^7. Normally I would look for common bases (like 9 and 27 have 3 in common), but I don't see that in 9 and 12.

Can someone explain this to me?
• June 19th 2011, 01:16 PM
Chris L T521
Re: Multiplying different bases with different exponent
Quote:

Originally Posted by timmeh
I'm doing a very basic pre algebra "refreshment", and for an assignment I need to simplify the following, leaving my answer as a single base raised to a single exponent:

9^2 * 12^3 * 2

I can't seem to find the steps needed to get the answer which is supposed to be 6^7. Normally I would look for common bases (like 9 and 27 have 3 in common), but I don't see that in 9 and 12.

Can someone explain this to me?

Hint: $9=3^2$ and $12=3\cdot 2^2$
• June 19th 2011, 01:56 PM
timmeh
Re: Multiplying different bases with different exponent
Ah now i see. Thanks.

(3^2)^2 * (3*2^2)^3
=> 3^4 * 3^3 * 2^6 * 2
=> 3^7 * 2^7
=> 6^7

That must be it, right? :)
• June 19th 2011, 02:05 PM
Chris L T521
Re: Multiplying different bases with different exponent
Quote:

Originally Posted by timmeh
Ah now i see. Thanks.

(3^2)^2 * (3*2^2)^3
=> 3^4 * 3^3 * 2^6 * 2
=> 3^7 * 2^7
=> 6^7

That must be it, right? :)

Yup! (Bigsmile)