Why does my child think (2x³)² = 2x⁶?
Your child raises only the letter to the power, not the number in front, such as (2x³)² = 2x⁶.
Why children do it
The power applies to everything in the bracket, the number as well as the letter. Written out, (2x³)² is 2x³ × 2x³, which is 4x⁶. Children often raise only the letter, because that's where they're used to seeing powers.
How to help at home
Ask them to write the bracket out twice: (2x³) × (2x³).
The right way
Simplify: (2x³)²
- 4x⁶Square everything in the bracket: 2² is 4, as well as (x³)² is x⁶.
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