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PEMDAS - Exponents

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by Bens4vcobra » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:05 pm
2^(4-1)^2
_________
2^3-2

A) 2^8
B)2^7
C)2^6
D)2^5
E)2^4

I keep getting D 2^5 but the answer is A. I cannot see how that is correct.
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Source: — Problem Solving |

by MBA.Aspirant » Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:47 pm
take it step by step

numerator:

2^(4-1)^2
2^(3)^2
2^9

denominator:
2^3-2
2^1

both:
2^9/2^1 = 2^ 9-1 = 2^8
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by Bens4vcobra » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:21 am
MBA.Aspirant wrote:take it step by step

numerator:

2^(4-1)^2
2^(3)^2
2^9

denominator:
2^3-2
2^1

both:
2^9/2^1 = 2^ 9-1 = 2^8
Thanks, I kept thinking the numerator was a nested exponent and the 3^2 should be multiplied together but clearly that's not right. Thanks for clearing this up for me.
"It takes no ability to give effort. Toughness is not God-given; it's a choice. The discipline to execute is a habit." - Nick Saban
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