QUANTITATIVE REASONING · GMAT-Q-EX-01

Exponents, Roots and Powers

GMAT lesson development preview · DRAFT · Original learning and assessment material

Concepts and problem-solving strategy

a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}, (a^{m})^{n} = a^{mn}

Identify the base and simplify exponent rules before computing large values.

Rewrite all powers in a common base whenever possible.

Use prime factors to determine perfect powers.

Simplify $2^{3}$ times $2^{5}$ .

2^{3} \cdot 2^{5} = 2^{8} = 256

Add exponents only because the base is the same.

Find the positive square root of 144.

144 = 12

The principal square root is nonnegative.