Guys simple indices question, need help.

[zainabkhann]

there is a question in the indices section of the past paper book which is : 3^2x2^3 and i multiplied 3x2 to get 6 and added the powers to get 5 which then makes 6^5, but in the book it says : 9x8=72 howcome? I mean i thought i had done it the right way considering its an indices question

 

[celoth]

there is a question in the indices section of the past paper book which is : 3^2x2^3 and i multiplied 3x2 to get 6 and added the powers to get 5 which then makes 6^5, but in the book it says : 9x8=72 howcome? I mean i thought i had done it the right way considering its an indices question

(3^2) x (2^3)
= (9) x (8)
= 72

since the number below the power is 3 and 2 respectively,
they are not same number,
so you can't just simply add their power together,
you hafta do it separately