Question

find the values for "a" and "b" that would make the following equation true.

(3x^a)(bx^4)= -24x^6

a= ?
b= ?


multiplying monomials or something like that

Answer 1

$(3x^a)(bx^4)=(3\cdot b)(x^a\cdot x^4)\qquad\text{use}\ a^n\cdot a^m=a^{n+m}\\\\=(3b)(x^{a+4})\\\\(3x^a)(bx^4)=-24x^6\iff3b=-24\ and\ a+4=6\\\\\boxed{b=-8\ and\ a=2}$