Simple algebra, what is 6y x y?
In algebra we have certain understandings of the symbols that we use in order to make a problem simple and understandable. One of these understandings is not to use “x” to mean “times” – because the symbol “x” could also refer to a variable. Thus we either put two items just next to each other and assume that they are to be multiplied (e.g. 6y meaning 6 times y) or we use a special symbol (some use the punctuation mark “*”; e.g. 6*y meaning 6 times y). Here, unless your teacher has allowed the “x” to be used as “multiplied by”, the expression can be rewritten as: 6*y*x*y or 6*x*y*y. [by the associative principle] Now, since we have two y’s multiplied together, we use a shorthand notation of “exponentiation” meaning that if a “number” appears above a number or symbol, that number or symbol is to be multiplied by itself that “number”. – since computer word processors cannot easily print a number “above” another, we use the symbol “^” to express the notion “the following number is to be u
