Easy math question?

[dgadino]

Hi everyone,

I just registered to take the GMAT, and there is one question that's been bugging me from the practice questions they gave me with my registration. Can anyone help?

Here's the question:

[2^(4-1)^2] / 2^(3-2)

I thought this would be a very easy question, but the answer they gave was different from what I expected.

Thanks!

[RR]

dgadino, the numerator is not very clear in the question.

If the question is
[{2^(4-1)}^2] / 2^(3-2)
the answer is
[{2^3}^2]/2^1
=[8 ^ 2] / 2
= 64/2 = 32

If the question is
[2^{(4-1)^2}] / 2^(3-2)
the answer is
[2^{3^2}]/2^1
=[2^9]/2
= 2 ^ 8 = 256

[RonPurewal]

Hi everyone,

I just registered to take the GMAT, and there is one question that's been bugging me from the practice questions they gave me with my registration. Can anyone help?

Here's the question:

[2^(4-1)^2] / 2^(3-2)

I thought this would be a very easy question, but the answer they gave was different from what I expected.

Thanks!

please read, and comply with, the forum rules:
* title the thread according to the first few words / characters of the problem statement
* INCLUDE ANSWER CHOICES

you're required to include answer choices anyway, but especially if you're going to mention "the answer they gave" (!)

thanks in advance.