Got it:
It is using: (a+b)(a-b)
therefore (165+164)(165-164); 165+164=329 and 165-164=1 so (165)^2-(164)^2= 329 * 1 = 329
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(165)^2 - (164)^2 =
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
I am no expert but just a tip. Even if the equation is not in the for a^2 - b^2, that is to say it looks complex, there should be a way to simplify it i.e. the values could be perfect squares or cubes.
Example - not the best one, but just for the sake of illustrating that there may be some hidden deatils...of course, one can simply solve it by doing 1024 - 729. So, reiterating, that this is only to illustrate that a seemingly large number can, at times, be broken to one that involves easier calculation....
2^10 - 9^3
=> (2^5)^2 - (3^3)2
=> (32 + 27)(32 - 27)
=> 59 * 5
=> (60 - 1 ) * 5
=> 295
Hope it helps!
Example - not the best one, but just for the sake of illustrating that there may be some hidden deatils...of course, one can simply solve it by doing 1024 - 729. So, reiterating, that this is only to illustrate that a seemingly large number can, at times, be broken to one that involves easier calculation....
2^10 - 9^3
=> (2^5)^2 - (3^3)2
=> (32 + 27)(32 - 27)
=> 59 * 5
=> (60 - 1 ) * 5
=> 295
Hope it helps!
