This blog notes down all key concepts and properties to remember to be able to infer and use for GMAT exponents related problems. Many GMAT Data Sufficiency problems will need the know-how of the rules so we can infer if sufficient information is available or not. These exponents questions should be straightforward once we know all the properties.
GMAT Exponents Properties
- Square Root: The solution of the square root of a number is always positive. e.g. sqrt(25) is always 5 and not +/- 5. This is in contrast to the solution of x^2 = 25. The solution for x is +/- 5.
- Product Rule: When you multiply two numbers with same and different/same exponent. The product of the numbers will be output with the same base and the exponent will be the sum of the two.
- (2^a)*(2^b) = 2^(a+b)
- Power Rule: When you raise a base to a power a. Then further raise it to a power b. The output can be written as a base (x^a)^b = x^(a*b)
These are broadly the 3 points used within GMAT Exponents.
To be continued …