Question

use one exponent to condense the expression below. then compute and/or simplify.
$-3c \cdot -3c$

answer attempt 1 out of 2

type the base, then use the $a^b$ button or type the ^ symbol on your keyboard for the exponent.
condensed form: \boxed{} $a^b$
answer: \boxed{} $a^b$

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the multiplication of terms

We have \(-3c \cdot -3c\). First, multiply the coefficients and the variables separately. The coefficient part is \((-3) \cdot (-3)\) and the variable part is \(c \cdot c\).

Step2: Simplify the coefficient and variable

For the coefficient: \((-3) \cdot (-3)=9\). For the variable: \(c \cdot c = c^{2}\) (using the rule \(a^m \cdot a^n=a^{m + n}\), here \(m = 1\), \(n = 1\), so \(c^{1+1}=c^{2}\)). But also, we can think of \(-3c\) as a base. So \(-3c \cdot -3c=(-3c)^{2}\) (since we are multiplying the same base \(-3c\) twice, so the exponent is 2).

Step3: Expand \((-3c)^{2}\)

Using the power of a product rule \((ab)^n=a^n b^n\), we get \((-3)^{2}c^{2}=9c^{2}\).

Condensed Form:

\((-3c)^2\)

Answer:

\(9c^2\)