Question

List the terms of the expression. $$(-1)(-x)^{4}$$

Short answer

The term of the expression is \(-x^{4}\).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the expression

The given expression is \( (-1)(-x)^{4} \). Here, we have the negative symbol applied to two entities, namely, the number 1 and the 4th power of -x.

Resolve the exponent

We need to resolve the exponent first. This follows the rule \((-a)^{n} = a^{n}\) if n is even, and \((-a)^{n} = -a^{n}\) if n is odd. Here n = 4, which is even. Therefore, \((-x)^{4} = x^{4}\).

Multiply the constants

Now, we take the result from Step 2 and multiply by -1 as given in the expression, so \(-1 * x^{4} = -x^{4}\).

Key concepts

Exponents

Exponents are a fundamental concept in algebra representing how many times a number, known as the base, is multiplied by itself. An expression like \( x^{4} \) means \( x \) is multiplied 4 times: \( x \times x \times x \times x \). The number 4 here is the exponent, telling us the base \( x \) is used as a factor four times.

The exercise demonstrates the importance of understanding exponents in simplifying algebraic expressions. Especially when combined with negative numbers, knowing how they work is crucial. An even exponent, as we see with the expression \( (-x)^{4} \), will result in a positive product, because an even number of negatives multiplied together cancels out. Learning to correctly apply exponents will significantly aid in grasping more complex algebraic processes.

Constants

Constants are the unchanging values in algebraic expressions. They appear as fixed numbers, as opposed to variables which can take on various values. In the expression \( (-1)(-x)^{4} \), the number -1 is a constant. It's important to recognize constants and understand their role; they anchor the variable parts of the expression and remain unaffected by the operations applied to variables.

When constants interact with other parts of an expression, they can influence the outcome significantly. Here, the operation instructs you to multiply the result of \( (-x)^{4} \) which we resolved into \( x^{4} \), by the constant -1. This impacts the expression by changing the sign of the outcome, resulting in \( -x^{4} \). Constants are like the solid ground in the fluid world of algebraic calculations.

Negative Numbers

Negative numbers in algebraic expressions can be tricky for students, but they follow specific rules that, once understood, make algebra much simpler. In expressions like \( (-x)^{4} \), the negative sign is attached to the variable \( x \).

It's crucial to determine if the exponent is even or odd, as this will dictate the sign of the result when a negative base is raised to a power. With even exponents, the negatives cancel out, creating a positive result, as we saw in the solution \( (-x)^{4} = x^{4} \). For an odd exponent, the expression would preserve the negative sign. Remember, negative numbers require careful attention when performing operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to avoid mistakes and correctly simplify expressions.