question from GmatPrep1

This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:21 am
Thanked: 1 times

question from GmatPrep1

by sudi760mba » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:50 am
I noticed this PS question and wanted to get some feedback:

(1/5)^m * (1/4)^18 = 1 /2(10)^35

so I approached it this way:

i)5^-m * 4 ^ -18 = 2(10)^-35
ii)20 ^ (-m + -18) = 2(10)^-35
iii)2(10)^(-m - 18) = 2(10)^-35
iv) -m - 18 = -35
v) -m = -17
m = 17 which is one of the answer choices. Is this correct?

Thank you.
Source: — Problem Solving |

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:56 am
Thanked: 1 times

by s_kaks » Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:01 am
(1/5)^m * (1/4)^18 = 1 /2(10)^35

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

therefore m=35.

I think this is the answer..