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Quick Exponents Question

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Quick Exponents Question

by topspin360 » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:22 pm
Hello,

Quick question on exponents:

I understand that (17^3)^4) = 17^12

But does 17^2^4 = 17^8? or 17^16? I ask because I just saw a second version being used in one of the answer explanations.

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by theCodeToGMAT » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:40 pm
17^2^4 = 17^16 because 2^4 = 16
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:54 pm
I'd say that 17^2^4 is ambiguous notation similar to x/y/z
(17^2)^4 = 17^8
17^(2^4) = 17^16

The GMAT won't give you an ambiguous expression like 17^2^4

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