Help please!

Numerous English words have a root and an affix. Do you think that the availability of affixes means there are more or fewer words in the English language

Undoubtedly, more.

If one word can have one or two prefixes and one or two suffixes, then there are five words made from that one, right?

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/represent

How many words can be made from the word "represent," do you think?

At least!! Here's another website that will show you even more words made from "represent."

https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=represent

So can you help explain more of the question i had asked though

What's hard to understand about it?

We have root words (base forms).
We can add prefixes to the beginning of the root word to change the meaning of the base word. (misrepresent -- the prefix "mis" makes it a negative)
We can add suffixes to the end of the root word to change it from a noun to a verb or an adjective, depending on the suffix. ("represent" is a verb; "representation" is the noun form of that verb)

Try it out with different words. Let us know what you come up with.

Thx it really helped

The availability of affixes in English indeed allows for the creation of numerous new words by combining them with root words. Consequently, the presence of affixes expands the vocabulary and increases the number of words in the English language.

To get a more precise answer about the total number of words in the English language, we can refer to linguistic databases or dictionaries. One such widely recognized source is the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). The OED contains entries for over 170,000 words currently in use in English, along with additional obsolete and regional words. Other dictionaries and language references provide different numbers depending on their scope and criteria.

However, it is essential to note that the English language is continually evolving, with new words being added and old ones becoming obsolete. New combinations and variations are created not only through the use of affixes but also through borrowing from other languages, compounding existing words, acronyms, and various other linguistic processes.

In summary, the availability of affixes in English does lead to an increased number of words by allowing for combinations with root words. However, the exact count of words in the English language is dynamic and subject to change.