problem with exponents

zach,
This problem is basically a G.P problem. G.P. means Geometric Progression.
2+2+2^2+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8
= 2 + 2(2^8 - 1)
= 2^9
Got my point, zach? By the way, if u want to know much about GP, u can do a Google-search. Otherwise, the formula for GP is -
Sn = Sum of n terms = a(r^n - 1)/(r - 1) where a = first term = 2 (here)
r = common diff = 2^2/2 = 2 (here) and n = 8.
Look I have kept the first 2 out of the series and started from the second one till end.

hi Amitava,

I get it now, thank you very much for your explanation

another solution:

2+2 = 4 = 2^2

2+2+2^2 is the same as 2^2+2^2 = 2^3

2^3 + 2^3 = 2^4 and so on... 2^8 + 2^8 = 2^9