Math confusion

When simplifying expressions , could u simplify a+a+a+a to 4a and a^4 ?

No a^4 = a x a x a x a

a + a + a = 3a
just like an orange + orange + orange = 3 oranges.

a x a x a = a^3
so y^2 = y x y

Understood?

When simplifying expressions , could u simplify a+a+a+a to 4a and a^4 ?

Fruit salad is not algebra - how do oranges explain a x a = a^2

fruit salad is not algebra, well done! that's some incredible deduction there!

On a serious note, analogies do not have to work for every situation. The analogy was dropped when they moved on to a x a..., but it worked for the addition : )

fruit salad is not algebra, well done! that's some incredible deduction there!

On a serious note, analogies do not have to work for every situation. The analogy was dropped when they moved on to a x a..., but it worked for the addition : )

Yes but it's the very thing that teachers are told not to use - analogies do have to work in maths or they are useless.

Perfect! Thanks aliya_sc.
I think the analogy with oranges captures the concept quite well. I don't think it has simplified or neglected any aspect of addition here. As aliya_sc mentioned, analogies do not have to work for every situation and thats why I didn't use any to simplify a^4.