Question

1 * w^3 how do you multiply these together

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  w^3

Step-by-step explanation:

The multiplicative identity element is 1. That means 1 times anything is just that thing.

  1 × w^3 = w^3

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Additional comment

That is one of the reasons why a coefficient of 1 is (almost) never shown.

In algebra, multiplication can be indicated a number of ways.

  ab . . . . placing values next to each other (sometimes with a small space)

  (a)(b) . . . . placing values next to each other with either or both in parentheses

  a·b . . . . . using a multiplication symbol between the values.

There are several different multiplication symbols in common use:

  * — asterisk

  · or • — centered dot

  × — centered "x" multiplication symbol

  x — the lower-case letter x (when it cannot be confused with a variable)

  . — a period (when it cannot be confused with a decimal point). This is uncommon in the US, but is seen occasionally when some of the other symbols are not available. It is more common outside the US.

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The multiplication of a constant and a variable expression cannot actually be accomplished. It can only be "indicated." If you wanted to multiply 2*w^3, that product would be indicated in any of the ways described above. Perhaps the simplest and least-confusing to most people is ...

  2w^3

Multiplying 1*w^3 can be indicated the same way: 1*w^3. In view of the special treatment given to a coefficient of 1, we would not simplify this to

  1w^3

Rather, we would simplify it to ...

  w^3