Quandaries and Queries
 

 

I was wondering if you can describe the steps in getting the solution to the problem below. I have the solution of 5/3 in the back of a book, but I have no idea how that answer was reached.

2raised to the 100th power + 2raised to the 98th power divided by 2raised to the 100th power - 2raised to the 98th power

 

 

Hi,

2 raised to the 100th power is

2 2 2 ... 2 2 2

where the 2 is multiplied by itself 100 times. This can be written

(2 2 2 ... 2) 2 2

where the 2 is multiplied by itself 98 times then twice more. That is

2100 = 298 22

Thus the numerator is

2100 + 298
= 298 22 + 298
= 298 (22 + 1)
= 298 5

Write the term 2100 in the denominator the same way and see if that helps.

Penny

 
 

Go to Math Central