Register    Login    Search    Rss Feeds

Forums Home » Ask An Instructor » GMAT Math » General Math Questions


 Page 1 of 1 [ 2 posts ] 



  Print view Print view Previous topic Previous topic | Next topic Next topic
 

(3^-2)^-3

Author Message
monge.alejandro
 Post subject: (3^-2)^-3
 Post Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:33 pm 
Offline
Prospective Students


Posts: 2
(3^-2)^-3

3^-6
3^-5
3^-1
3^5
3^6

I would think you need to start with parenthesis, so 3^-2=9, which is the same than 3^2; then you multiply by the -3, to equal 3^-6. I think I read too much into it.
Top 
jnelson0612
 Post subject: Re: (3^-2)^-3
 Post Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2011 11:48 pm 
Offline
ManhattanGMAT Staff


Posts: 1857
monge.alejandro wrote:
(3^-2)^-3

3^-6
3^-5
3^-1
3^5
3^6

I would think you need to start with parenthesis, so 3^-2=9, which is the same than 3^2; then you multiply by the -3, to equal 3^-6. I think I read too much into it.


When I have an exponent that is taken to the power of another exponent, you simply need to multiply the two exponents together. Thus, this is 3^(-2 * -3), or 3^6.

Also, I want to clarify 3^-2. Anything to a negative power means take the reciprocal of the base, then apply the positive exponent. So 3^-2 becomes (1/3)^2, thus this expression actually is 1/9.

_________________
Jamie Nelson
ManhattanGMAT Instructor
Top 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
 
 Page 1 of 1 [ 2 posts ] 





Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

 
 

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: