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exponents

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by beater » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:26 am
99,9992^2 - 1^2 =

A. 10^10 - 2
B. (10^5 – 2)^2
C. 10^4(10^5 – 2)
D. 10^5(10^4 – 2)
E. 10^5(10^5 – 2)

I made a silly error and messed up this one. I'd like to see your approach. pLease show your workings. Thanks
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Source: — Problem Solving |

by nikhilagrawal » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:27 pm
E is the answer
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by csandeepreddy » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:32 pm
99,999^2 - 1^2 can be written as

(100,000 - 1)^2 - 1^2
=>(10^5 - 1)^2 - 1^2
=>10^10 + 1 - 2*10^5 - 1 -----------using (a - b)^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab
=>10^10 - 2*10^5
=>10^5(10^5 - 2)

IMO E
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by cramya » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:35 pm
There is a typo in the original problem.

Its mentioned as 99,9992^2 - 1^2 = but it really is

99,999^2 - 1^2 =
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by lunarpower » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:25 am
csandeepreddy wrote:99,999^2 - 1^2 can be written as

(100,000 - 1)^2 - 1^2
=>(10^5 - 1)^2 - 1^2
=>10^10 + 1 - 2*10^5 - 1 -----------using (a - b)^2 = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab
=>10^10 - 2*10^5
=>10^5(10^5 - 2)

IMO E
you could do that, and you would be fine.

BUT

you should notice that THIS IS ALREADY A DIFFERENCE OF SQUARES.
it's just so ... perfect. it's like a nice juicy steak on a silver platter, at the perfect temperature for human consumption; the solution above, while 100% correct, is somewhat akin to putting that perfect steak back into the microwave for 30 more seconds.

here's how to take a nice big juicy bite:
99,999^2 - 1^2
= (99,999 - 1)(99,999 + 1)
= (99,998)(100,000)
= (10^5 - 2)(10^5)
done

notice that you have to pick up on the fact that 10^5 is the same thing as 100,000.
but you should know that.
put it on a flash card if you don't.

while you're at it, also make a flash card for the difference of squares.
and if you didn't recognize the difference of squares within 3 seconds, then drop and give me 100 pushups. right now.

flash cards are your friends.
Ron has been teaching various standardized tests for 20 years.

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by sumidi » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:26 am
Ron your solution made me smile ....thats brilliant!
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by niraj_a » Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:35 am
ron, that was just brilliant!!!!

should notice a^2 - b^2 more often.
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by rabab » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:04 am
Lol. Way to go Ron! Loved your reply. :D
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