Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Reducing Exponents

Expert replies
by yellowho » Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:47 pm
Ran across this on a problem X^(Y^4). Is there a way to reduce this or a different to rewrite this?
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by Anurag@Gurome » Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:16 pm
yellowho wrote:Ran across this on a problem X^(Y^4). Is there a way to reduce this or a different to rewrite this?
It can be written as X^(Y^2)^2. What's the problem?
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Join the discussion

by Night reader » Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:21 pm
yellowho wrote:Ran across this on a problem X^(Y^4). Is there a way to reduce this or a different to rewrite this?
unless you use differentials from analytic algebra, there's no way to reduce this expression (X^(Y^4))`=4X^(3Y^3)
My knowledge frontiers came to evolve the GMATPill's methods - the credited study means to boost the Verbal competence. I really like their videos, especially for RC, CR and SC. You do check their study methods at https://www.gmatpill.com
Join the discussion

by yellowho » Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:21 pm
Thanks anurag. Actually the problem just makes you compare two numbers that are both raise to some power. One way to evaluate is to reduce or just compare the exponents if you already know the base. I was just looking for an alternative method.


If m and n are positive integers, is m^n < n^m?
(1) m = root(n)
(2) n > 5

What if we don't know whether N is positive? Then you have to evaluate 3 cases Positive, Zero, and Negative right? Would you eliminate negative outright because it would involve imaginary number? So you would just deal with positive and zero case?







[quote="Anurag@Gurome"][quote="yellowho"]Ran across this on a problem X^(Y^4). Is there a way to reduce this or a different to rewrite this?[/quote]
It can be written as X^(Y^2)^2. What's the problem?[/quote]
Join the discussion

by Night reader » Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:54 pm
st (1) m = root(n), if n<0 then root(n) is undefined.

given: m,n>0; m^n < n^m?
st(1) m=n^1/2, LHS n^(n/2) RHSn^(n^1/2) ---> LHS n/2 RHSn^1/2, LHS n RHS 2*n^1/2 Not sufficient, as plug in n=1 and n=9 gives two inequality conditions;
st(2) n>5 alone is Not Sufficient, as we are missing the relationship data for n and m.
Combined st(1&2) Sufficient as LHS m^n is always greater than RHS n^m
yellowho wrote:Thanks anurag. Actually the problem just makes you compare two numbers that are both raise to some power. One way to evaluate is to reduce or just compare the exponents if you already know the base. I was just looking for an alternative method.


If m and n are positive integers, is m^n < n^m?
(1) m = root(n)
(2) n > 5

What if we don't know whether N is positive? Then you have to evaluate 3 cases Positive, Zero, and Negative right? Would you eliminate negative outright because it would involve imaginary number? So you would just deal with positive and zero case?






Anurag@Gurome wrote:
yellowho wrote:Ran across this on a problem X^(Y^4). Is there a way to reduce this or a different to rewrite this?
It can be written as X^(Y^2)^2. What's the problem?
My knowledge frontiers came to evolve the GMATPill's methods - the credited study means to boost the Verbal competence. I really like their videos, especially for RC, CR and SC. You do check their study methods at https://www.gmatpill.com
Join the discussion

by Anurag@Gurome » Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:55 pm
yellowho wrote:What if we don't know whether N is positive? Then you have to evaluate 3 cases Positive, Zero, and Negative right? Would you eliminate negative outright because it would involve imaginary number? So you would just deal with positive and zero case?
Yes, we can easily eliminate the negative integers as the first statement involves a square root: n can't be negative as it is under the square root and m can't be negative as we consider only the positive values of a square root. Hence, we have to deal with positive and zero case.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Join the discussion