Why does my child think x² × x³ = x⁶?
Your child multiplies the indices when multiplying powers, such as x² × x³ = x⁶.
Why children do it
2 and 3 make 6 when multiplied, so multiplying the powers looks natural. But x² × x³ is (x × x) × (x × x × x): five x's multiplied together. The powers add, so it's x⁵.
How to help at home
Ask them to write each power out in full and count the x's: x² × x³ is x × x × x × x × x.
The right way
Simplify: x³ × x⁴
- x × x × x × x × x × x × xThree lots of x times four lots of x.
- x⁷Seven lots in all: add the indices, 3 + 4.
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