glencoe pre-algebra 2008 page 182 please help

Question

Write each expression using exponents.

5.  (y - 3)(y - 3)(y - 3)             6.  (a + 1)(a + 1)

Answer 1

The expression is .

The base is . It is a factor 3 times. So the exponent is 3.

The simplified expression is .

 

Answer 2

6) The expression  (a + 1)(a + 1)

The base is (a+1).  It is a factor of 2 times. So the exponent is 2.

(a + 1)(a + 1) = (a+1)²

The simplified expression is (a+1)²