Whats unique about powers of 2 is

2^1+2^1 = 2 ^ 2 (i.e 2+2 =4)
2^2+2^2 = 2^3 etc... (i.e 4+4 = 8)
2^3+2^3 = 2^4 ....so on

If you keep doing this in the problem above u will end up with
2^8 + 2^8 = 2 ^ 9

Hope this helps! Let me know if u still hv questions

[email protected] wrote:2+2+2^2+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8=

Ans) 2^9

2+2+2^2+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8= ANSWER

if you multiply both side with 2

( 2^2+2^2+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8 )+2^9=2*ANSWER

ANSWER+2^9=2*ANSWER

Answer = 2^9

This approach is called the BUSINESSMAN, but if you stop by at financing department Cramya can show you the other way, which will keep you in the office after 6PM while others play GOLF outside

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cramya wrote:You crack me up big time ; now u have got NAMES for your solutions!

You are soemthing I tell u...

I am trying to keep this place and myself entertained. I take notes of all your solution and shortcuts. You are a great help Cramya.

stop@800 and codesnoker are great GMATers as well. I am hoping that we can all beat the shit out of GMAT and enroll into programs we have all been dreaming of...

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Received a PM to explain more

Whats unique about powers of 2 is

2^1+2^1 = 2 ^ 2 (i.e 2+2 =4)
2^2+2^2 = 2^3 etc... (i.e 4+4 = 8)
2^3+2^3 = 2^4 (i.e 8+8=16 i.e 2^3=8 2^4=16))....so on

Problem is 2+2+2^2+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8

= 2^1+2^1+2^2+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8(2^1+2^1= 2 ^2 i.e. 2+2=4)

= 2^2+2^2+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8(2^2+2^2 = 2^3 i.e. 4+4=8)

= 2^3+2^3+2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8(2^3+2^3=2^4 i.e 8+8=16)

= 2^4+ 2^4+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8 (2^4+2^4=2^5 i.e. 16+16=32)

= 2^5+2^5+2^6+2^7+2^8 (2^5+2^5=2^6)

= 2^6+2^6+2^7+2^8 (2^6+2^6 = 2^7)

=2^7+2^7+2^8 (2^7+2^7=2^8)

=2^8+2^8(2^8+2^8=2^9)

=2^9

Sophia,let me know if u still have questions.

this solution and explanation was amazing! thank you Cramya!
if not a secret: how do you know all this?