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Help with an exponent question

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Help with an exponent question

by anthony.j » Sun May 03, 2009 10:54 am
Hi,

My mind is spinning right now and I can't seem to figure out how to get to this answer. Please help! Thanks!

Which of the following is equal to the value of:
2^5 + 2^5 + 3^5 + 3^5 + 3^5

answer: 2^6 +3^6
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by chetanojha » Sun May 03, 2009 11:05 am
Take 2^5 and 3^5 common
2^5(1+1)+3^5(1+1+1) = 2*2^5+3*3^5 =2^6+3^6
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by anthony.j » Sun May 03, 2009 11:19 am
chetanojha wrote:Take 2^5 and 3^5 common
2^5(1+1)+3^5(1+1+1) = 2*2^5+3*3^5 =2^6+3^6
Oh, I see what you did now. After taking the common factor you are left with the two equations. Then it is simply multiplication.

So simple, yet so hard to figure it out when stuck.

Thanks!!
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by cneal4 » Mon May 04, 2009 7:56 am
Thanks that helped me also in understanding that a little better.
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Re: Help with an exponent question

by ousek » Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:09 am
anthony.j wrote: 2^5 + 2^5 + 3^5 + 3^5 + 3^5
= 2*(2^5) + 3*(3^5)
= 2^6 + 3^6

Hope this will help...
Fucking GMAT
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Re: Help with an exponent question

by sudi760mba » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:04 am
When you have to add exponents, always factor

2^5(1 + 1) = 2^5(2) which is the same as 2^5(2^1).

With the rule
x^x * x^y = x^x + y

2^5(2^1) = 2^5+1 = 2^6

3^5(1 + 1 + 1) = 3^5(3) which is the same as 3^5(3^1)

With the rule
x^x * x^y = x^x + y

3^5(3^1) = 3^5 + 1 = 3^6


anthony.j wrote:Hi,

My mind is spinning right now and I can't seem to figure out how to get to this answer. Please help! Thanks!

Which of the following is equal to the value of:
2^5 + 2^5 + 3^5 + 3^5 + 3^5

answer: 2^6 +3^6
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