Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 03:59 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 03:59
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,379
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,379
Kudos: 778,194
 [14]
Kudos
Add Kudos
14
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
CareerGeek
Joined: 20 Jul 2017
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,292
Own Kudos:
4,268
 [6]
Given Kudos: 162
Location: India
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
WE:Education (Education)
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
Posts: 1,292
Kudos: 4,268
 [6]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 8,422
Own Kudos:
4,980
 [4]
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,422
Kudos: 4,980
 [4]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
EgmatQuantExpert
User avatar
e-GMAT Representative
Joined: 04 Jan 2015
Last visit: 02 Apr 2024
Posts: 3,663
Own Kudos:
20,164
 [1]
Given Kudos: 165
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 3,663
Kudos: 20,164
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post

Solution



Given
    • x^y=256

To find
    • Number of the different values of y^x

Approach and Working out

    • We know that 2^8 = 256
      o Hence, x= 2 and y =8
         y ^ x = 8^2 = 64

    • We know that -2^8 = 256
      o Hence, x= -2 and y =8
         y ^ x = 8^-2 = 1/64

    • 4^4 = 256
      o Hence, x= 4 and y =4
         y ^ x = 4^4 = 256

    • -4^4 = 256
      o Hence, x= -4 and y =4
         y ^ x = 4^-4 = 1/256

    • 16^2 = 256
      o Hence, x= 16 and y =2
         y ^ x = 2^16


    • -16^2 = 256
      o Hence, x= -16 and y =2
         y ^ x = 1/2^16

    • 256^1 = 256
      o Hence, x= 256 and y =1
         y ^ x = 1^256 = 1

So, total 7 values are possible.

Thus, option D is the correct answer.
Correct Answer: Option D
User avatar
gvij2017
Joined: 09 Aug 2017
Last visit: 18 Jun 2024
Posts: 674
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 778
Posts: 674
Kudos: 486
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I doubt that explanation is correct though your answer choice is fortunately correct.

For example.
2 is one of the factor of 64, but 2 is not the value of y^x in any case.

Archit3110
Bunuel
If x and y are integers and \(x^y = 256\), what is the number of the different values of \(y^x\)?

(A) 4
(B) 5
(C) 6
(D) 7
(E) 8

Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions
\(x^y = 256\)
x=2 and y = 8
so \(y^x\) = 8^2 ; 64
64 = 2^6 ; total factors = 7
IMO D
User avatar
CareerGeek
Joined: 20 Jul 2017
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,292
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 162
Location: India
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
WE:Education (Education)
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
Posts: 1,292
Kudos: 4,268
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Archit3110
Bunuel
If x and y are integers and \(x^y = 256\), what is the number of the different values of \(y^x\)?

(A) 4
(B) 5
(C) 6
(D) 7
(E) 8

Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions
\(x^y = 256\)
x=2 and y = 8
so \(y^x\) = 8^2 ; 64
64 = 2^6 ; total factors = 7
IMO D

Archit3110

How are factors and values of \(y^x\) same ?
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,583
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,583
Kudos: 1,079
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
Math Expert
105379 posts
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts