Simplify. Express your answer using positive exponents.

Question

2a^55 x 2a^72

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \( 2a^{55} \times 2a^{72} \), you can follow these steps:

1. Multiply the coefficients: The coefficients are both 2, so: \[ 2 \times 2 = 4 \]

2. Combine the like bases (the terms with \( a \)): When multiplying terms with the same base, you add the exponents: \[ a^{55} \times a^{72} = a^{55 + 72} = a^{127} \]

3. Combine the results: Now, put together the coefficients and the combined base: \[ 4a^{127} \]

Thus, the simplified expression is: \[ \boxed{4a^{127}} \]