BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

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
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

Exponents and Fractions

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Source: — Problem Solving |
Legendary Member
Posts: 752
Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 11:04 pm
Location: Tokyo
Thanked: 81 times
GMAT Score:680

by tohellandback » Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:31 pm
1/5)^m * (1/4)^18 = 1/2(10)^35

or, 1/5)^m * (1/2)^36 = 1/2*(1/2)^35*(1/5)^35
or, 1/5)^m * (1/2)^36 = (1/2)^36*(1/5)^35
m=35
The powers of two are bloody impolite!!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 876
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:14 am
Thanked: 13 times

by ketkoag » Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:35 am
same approach as above..
35 it is..
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 7:24 pm

by uw490 » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:42 am
I'm a little rusty on my rules for exponents...

But, how can you turn (1/4)^18 into (1/2)^36 and how can you turn (10)^35 into (1/2)^35*(1/5)^35???

An explanation of the above would really help me out.

thanks
J
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:56 pm
Thanked: 24 times
GMAT Score:710

by mike22629 » Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:58 am
First think of it this way:

What does (1/2)^36 actually equal?

It equals:
(1^36)/(2^36)

Now what does 4^2 = ?
It equals 16 or 2*2*2*2 or 4*4

So.....
2^36 = 4^18
(There are the same number of 2s on both sides of equation, they are just written differently. Remember that 4 = 2*2, so 4 is essentially two 2s.

Just as 4^2 = 2^4

And you do not turn 10^35 into (1/2^35)*(1/5^35)

You turn 1/(10^35) into (1/2^35)*(1/5^35)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 7:24 pm

by uw490 » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:23 am
Got it!

Thanks for the explanation, this clears it up!
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1