GRE Math : How to find an exponent from a rational number

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

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Example Question #22 :Algebra

find x

8x=2x+6

Possible Answers:

2 or -1

-1

2

4

3

Correct answer:

3

Explanation:

8 = 23

(23)x= 23x

23x= 2x+6<- when the bases are the same, you can set the exponents equal to each other and solve for x

3x=x+6

2x=6

x=3

Example Question #23 :Algebra

Compare3^{6}and27^{2}.

Possible Answers:

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

3^{6} < 27^{2}

3^{6} = 27^{2}

3^{6} > 27^{2}

Correct answer:

3^{6} = 27^{2}

Explanation:

First rewrite the two expressions so that they have the same base, and then compare their exponents.

27 = 3^{3}

27^2 = (3^{3})^2

Combine exponents by multiplying:(3^{3})^2 = 3^6

This is the same as the first given expression, so the two expressions are equal.

Example Question #1 :Exponents And Rational Numbers

Solve for.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

can be written as

Since there is a common base of, we can say

or.

Example Question #1 :Exponents And Rational Numbers

Solve for.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The basees don't match.

However:

thus we can rewrite the expression as.

Anything raised to negative power meansover the base raised to the postive exponent.

So,..

Example Question #3 :Exponents And Rational Numbers

Solve for.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The bases don't match.

However:

and we recognize that.

Anything raised to negative power meansover the base raised to the postive exponent.

.

Example Question #31 :Algebra

Solve for

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Recall that.

With same base, we can write this equation:

.

By subtractingon both sides,.

Example Question #4 :Exponents And Rational Numbers

Solve for.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Sincewe can rewrite the expression.

With same base, let's set up an equation of.

By subtractingon both sides, we get.

Take the square root of both sides we get BOTHand.

Example Question #33 :Algebra

Solve for.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

They don't have the same base, however:.

Then. You would multiply theand theinstead of adding.

.

Example Question #1 :Exponents And Rational Numbers

Solve for.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

There are two ways to go about this.

Method

They don't have the same bases however:. Then

You would multiply theand theinstead of adding. We have

Divideon both sides to get.

Method:

We can change the base fromto

This is the basic property of the product of power exponents.

We have the same base so basically.

Example Question #6 :Exponents And Rational Numbers

Solve for.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since we can write.

With same base we can set up an equation of

Divide both sides byand we get.

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