How to multiply exponents - GRE Quantitative Reasoning

Card 1 of 112

0
Didn't Know
Knew It
0
1 of 2019 left
Question

Quantity A:

(0.5)3(0.5)3

Quantity B:

(0.5)7

Tap to reveal answer

Answer

When we have two identical numbers, each raised to an exponent, and multiplied together, we add the exponents together:

xaxb = xa+b

This means that (0.5)3(0.5)3 = (0.5)3+3 = (0.5)6

Because 0.5 is between 0 and 1, we know that when it is multipled by itself, it decreases in value. Example: 0.5 * 0.5 = 0.25. 0.5 * 0.5 * 0.5 = 0.125. Etc.

Thus, (0.5)6 > (0.5)7

← Didn't Know|Knew It →