No.
4^(1/3)=2^(2/3)
2 x sqrt(2) = 2^(3/2)
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
square root question
Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving |
thanks Lokesh,
but can't you simply 2^(2/3) one step further to get 2 sqrt 2?
I thought one of the 2's come out of the sqr and one stays inside...
but can't you simply 2^(2/3) one step further to get 2 sqrt 2?
I thought one of the 2's come out of the sqr and one stays inside...
Some rules applied to exponent:
x^a * x^b = x^(a+b)
sqrt(x) = x^(1/2) ; 3rd root (x) = x^(1/3) ; nth root (x) = x^(1/n)
(x^a)^b = x^(a*b)
Hence
4^(1/3) = (2^2)^1/3 =2^(2/3)
2 * sqrt(2) = 2^1 * 2^(1/2) = 2^(1+1/2) = 2^(3/2)
Thus the answer is NO.
x^a * x^b = x^(a+b)
sqrt(x) = x^(1/2) ; 3rd root (x) = x^(1/3) ; nth root (x) = x^(1/n)
(x^a)^b = x^(a*b)
Hence
4^(1/3) = (2^2)^1/3 =2^(2/3)
2 * sqrt(2) = 2^1 * 2^(1/2) = 2^(1+1/2) = 2^(3/2)
Thus the answer is NO.
"There is nothing either good or bad - but thinking makes it so" - Shakespeare.
Thanks limestone,
so,,, for this question... is this the simplified version you would have?
M = 2 + 2(2/3) + 2 (1/2)
or can it be simplified one more step?
so,,, for this question... is this the simplified version you would have?
M = 2 + 2(2/3) + 2 (1/2)
or can it be simplified one more step?
- Attachments
-
Since the problem above asks only for an estimation, we can just ballpark:amirp wrote:Thanks limestone,
so,,, for this question... is this the simplified version you would have?
M = 2 + 2(2/3) + 2 (1/2)
or can it be simplified one more step?
√4 = 2.
4^(1/3) > 1.
4*(1/4) = √2 ≈ 1.4.
So M > 4.4.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Can we do it by taking common:GMATGuruNY wrote:Since the problem above asks only for an estimation, we can just ballpark:amirp wrote:Thanks limestone,
so,,, for this question... is this the simplified version you would have?
M = 2 + 2(2/3) + 2 (1/2)
or can it be simplified one more step?
√4 = 2.
4^(1/3) > 1.
4*(1/4) = √2 ≈ 1.4.
So M > 4.4.
4^1/2[ 1+4^(2/3) +4^(1/2)]---- solving this we can clearly see that it is greater than 4
Sure, but I think that factoring out 4^1/2 is time-consuming and makes the problem more complicated. Estimating is quicker and safer.ankur.agrawal wrote:Can we do it by taking common:GMATGuruNY wrote:Since the problem above asks only for an estimation, we can just ballpark:amirp wrote:Thanks limestone,
so,,, for this question... is this the simplified version you would have?
M = 2 + 2(2/3) + 2 (1/2)
or can it be simplified one more step?
√4 = 2.
4^(1/3) > 1.
4*(1/4) = √2 ≈ 1.4.
So M > 4.4.
4^1/2[ 1+4^(2/3) +4^(1/2)]---- solving this we can clearly see that it is greater than 4
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Thanks GmatGuru,
I see how your approach makes total sense. for the sake of learning the concept tho, can you explain how far I can simplify
4^(1/3)?
I know I can get 2^(2/3) but, for some reason I keep thinking I can simplify it even more. can you explain?
I see how your approach makes total sense. for the sake of learning the concept tho, can you explain how far I can simplify
4^(1/3)?
I know I can get 2^(2/3) but, for some reason I keep thinking I can simplify it even more. can you explain?
There are some problems in which you might want to raise each side of the equation to the reciprocal power:amirp wrote:Thanks GmatGuru,
I see how your approach makes total sense. for the sake of learning the concept tho, can you explain how far I can simplify
4^(1/3)?
I know I can get 2^(2/3) but, for some reason I keep thinking I can simplify it even more. can you explain?
x^(2/3) = 4
(x^(2/3))^3/2 = 4^(3/2)
x^(6/6) = 8
x = 8
Is this what you mean?
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
No.
I just keep thinking that since I have a 2^2 inside the cube root, I can take it out and solve it one step further...
4^(1/3)=
2^(2/3)=
( 2^(1/3) )^2 =
and more simplification here? (example: 2 sqr 2 )
Maybe i'm over thinking it and the simplest form is 2^(2/3) ??
I just keep thinking that since I have a 2^2 inside the cube root, I can take it out and solve it one step further...
4^(1/3)=
2^(2/3)=
( 2^(1/3) )^2 =
and more simplification here? (example: 2 sqr 2 )
Maybe i'm over thinking it and the simplest form is 2^(2/3) ??












