College Algebra / Unit 1 Alg 026 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Power-Product Confusion
Captions available
The idea
The power-product confusion adds exponents where the power rule multiplies them, or multiplies where the product rule adds.
In practice
(3²)³ = 3⁶ = 729, but 3² · 3³ = 3⁵ = 243. One expression stacks a power; the other multiplies two.
Where people slip
Read the parentheses before touching the exponents.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
- Nothing. This is a starting point.
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for College Algebra