Powers and roots

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Powers and roots

by alsergi » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:13 am
Please could anyone help me with this?
Thanks in advance ...

If ( 1/2 * (400^300 + 20^ 600) )^4 = 400^k what is the value of k ?

a. 400
b.600
c. 800
d. 1200
e. 2400

Right answer is d, but I dont know how to solve it ...
Source: — Problem Solving |

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by stop@800 » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:32 am
let me solve without expression so that u better understand it.

400^300 = (20*20)^300 = 20^(2*300) = 20^600

Now add two 20^600 and divide by 2
you will again get 20^600

so final equn is
(20^600)^4
= (20)^(600*4) = 20^2400
= 20^(2*1200)
= 400^1200 [as 20^2 = 400]

Rules you need to remember

(A^b)^c = A^(b*c)
A^a * A^b = A^(a+b)

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by 4meonly » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:35 am
simplify
( 1/2 * (400^300 + 20^ 600) )^4 = 400^k
( 1/2 * (20^600 + 20^ 600) )^4 = 20^2k
( 1/2 * 2*20^600 )^4 = 20^2k
20^2400 = 20^2k
2400 = 2k
k = 1200

D