my book says 6(5^a).

I just don't see that though!

(and my book asks this question, but shows NO examples or explanations of a lone power without a base being added. Grr. I mean, what do I do with ^1? N do I assume that it has the same base as the rest of the equation?)


and I can't find other examples of adding two identical polynomials, really any polynomials, with exponents. Everything is all "don't do (3+4)^2 = 3^2 + 4^2. THIS, I do know. Sigh.


any help is much appreciated.

What is ^1 supposed to be?

If "^1" were -4\cdot{5^{a}}, then perhaps you would have:

2\cdot{5^{a}}+4\cdot{5^{a}}=6\cdot{5^{a}}

I don't follow what you mean by just "^1".

Please elaborate and maybe someone can help.