Exponent multiplication

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parkman: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 31; Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:37 pm; Thanked: 1 times

Exponent multiplication

by parkman » Sun May 01, 2011 2:34 pm

This is probably a simple question, but I havent found any similar problems with which to compare it in my studies

if (1/5)^m(1/4)^18 = 1/(2(10)^35), then m = ?

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sun May 01, 2011 2:34 pm

srcc25anu: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 423; Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:59 am; Location: Seattle, WA; Thanked: 86 times; Followed by:2 members

by srcc25anu » Sun May 01, 2011 2:45 pm

IMO m=35

1/5^m * (1/2^36) = 1 / (2^36 * 5^35)
hence m=35

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parkman: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 31; Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:37 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by parkman » Sun May 01, 2011 3:22 pm

35 is the correct answer, however Im still not getting the rules to get that answer

Basically, my exponent experience involves

(M)^x (M)^y = (M)^x+y

And the dividing component being subtracted .

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Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sun May 01, 2011 4:31 pm

parkman wrote:This is probably a simple question, but I havent found any similar problems with which to compare it in my studies

if (1/5)^m(1/4)^18 = 1/(2(10)^35), then m = ?

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