IMO 2^5 or 32

thats exactly what I thought, it makes perfect sense, but the OA apparently is 2^8.

I think this is in error. 2^5 is definitely correct

2^8 is absolutely correct.

[2^(4-1)^2] / [2^(3-2)]

[2^3^2] / [2^1]

2^9 / 2^1

2^(9-1) = 2^8

papgust wrote:2^8 is absolutely correct.

[2^(4-1)^2] / [2^(3-2)]

[2^3^2] / [2^1]

2^9 / 2^1

2^(9-1) = 2^8

I've always wondered about this situation.

(2^3)^2 is clearly 2^6

2^(3^2) is clearly 2^9

When it's simply written as 2^3^2 is the rule that you always start at the right and work your way backwards? Doesn't the expression need brackets to be unambiguous?

The Google calculator agrees with papagust!

When you use the Google Calculator to resolve 2^3^2 it automatically rewrites it as 2^(3^2).

Similarly, when you use it to resolve 2^3^2^2 it automatically rewrites it as 2^(3^(2^2)).

So, if Google is right (who dares question the mighty G?), 2^8 is the correct solution.