# Factoring 18 x^5 y^2 m - 9 x^3 y m^5

#### Spencer Heisel

##### New member
Please solve 18x fith power y second power m - 9x third power y m fifth power

#### Denis

##### Senior Member
Re: Factoring

Spencer Heisel said:
Please solve 18x fith power y second power m - 9x third power y m fifth power
Please post these this way: 18 x^5 y^2 m - 9 x^3 y m^5
You can only simplify this. What do you mean by "solve"?

#### Spencer Heisel

##### New member
Re: Factoring

I can't find any examples in my Saxson Algebra 1 book that resembles this answer. I don't understand the (). I wish the lessons and the examples they give would somehow resemble the questions given in the sets.

#### Denis

##### Senior Member
Re: Factoring

Did you know that x^a times x^b = x^(a+b) ?

#### Spencer Heisel

##### New member
Re: Factoring

I'm having a hard time with x^b = x^(a+b) . I will go over that lesson again. Thanks.

#### Subhotosh Khan

##### Super Moderator
Staff member
Re: Factoring

Spencer Heisel said:
I'm having a hard time with x^b = x^(a+b) .<<< That is incorrect. It should be

x^a times x^b = x^(a+b)

or

$$\displaystyle X^a\, \cdot \, X^b \, = \, X^{a+b}$$

I will go over that lesson again. Thanks.