0^0

Expert replies

MBA.Aspirant: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 401; Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 1:14 amFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 37 times

by MBA.Aspirant » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:13 pm

0^0 = 1 or 0?

we know anything raised to the power of 0 = 1. But what of 0^0?

I'm asking cause I got a problem asking 0^x so if you plugin x=1 then 0^1 = 0. But what of x=0?

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:13 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

Ian Stewart: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2623; Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 amFollowed by: 355 members; Location: Montreal; Thanked: 1090 times; GMAT Score:780

by Ian Stewart » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:18 pm

0^0 is not defined, for the reason you point out: for positive values of x, x^0 is always equal to 1, but 0^x is always equal to 0, so there's no way to define a value of 0^0 that will make sense. On official questions, you'll never need to consider what 0^0 is; the question will always give restrictions on the values of your unknowns so that 0^0 need not be considered.

For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

ianstewartgmat.com

Like this post

MBA.Aspirant: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 401; Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 1:14 amFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 37 times

by MBA.Aspirant » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:28 pm

yep its defined in the question.

x^y and |y|^x. x>1 and y<0.

but as a funny trivia try typing 0^0 in google

Also this article says it's = 1: https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3 ... ml&h=41c5b

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Ian Stewart: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2623; Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 amFollowed by: 355 members; Location: Montreal; Thanked: 1090 times; GMAT Score:780

by Ian Stewart » Thu Jun 23, 2011 4:31 pm

MBA.Aspirant wrote:yep its defined in the question.

x^y and |y|^x. x>1 and y<0.

but as a funny trivia try typing 0^0 in google

Also this article says it's = 1: https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3 ... ml&h=41c5b

If you read that text, it makes clear there no universally agreed view on the value of 0^0. If 0^0 were defined to have a value, then the value 1 makes the most sense, but there are equally good reasons for declaring 0^0 to be an undefined quantity. Regardless, on the GMAT it doesn't matter - you'll never need to worry about it.

For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

ianstewartgmat.com

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

559 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review