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Bunuel
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Bunuel
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Bunuel
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leonsandcastle332
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If you have the same bases, you add the exponents...why is this different?
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Bunuel
The square of \(5^{\sqrt{2}}\) = ?

A. \(5^2\)
B. \(25^{\sqrt{2}}\)
C. \(25\)
D. \(25^{2\sqrt{2}}\)
E. \(5^{\sqrt{2}^2}\)
For those getting hung up on why the √2 is not squared, it might help to think of what happens in general when you have a product involving a common base raised to an exponent or different exponents:

\((5^x)^2\)

\((5^x)(5^x)=5^{x+x}=5^{2x}\)

Since we do not know what x may be, the most we can simplify the equation is to say that

\(5^{2x}=25^x\)

In this problem, we can work through each step in the same way:

\((5^{\sqrt{2}})^2\)

\((5^{\sqrt{2}})(5^{\sqrt{2}})\)

\(5^{{\sqrt{2}}+{\sqrt{2}}}\)

\(5^{2{\sqrt{2}}}\)

\(25^{\sqrt{2}}\)

Choice (B) must be the answer. We could simplify further if we knew the exact value of √2, but since √2 is an irrational number, we cannot express it any more accurately, so we have to leave it alone.

- Andrew
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I have edited the question and the solution by adding more details to enhance its clarity. I hope it is now easier to understand.
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I like the solution - it’s helpful.
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I like the solution - it’s helpful.
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I don’t quite agree with the solution. See the question says 5^root2 is how much, according to all the explanations 25^root2 is 5^2root2, 2root2> root2 so answer is wrong
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I don’t quite agree with the solution. See the question says 5^root2 is how much, according to all the explanations 25^root2 is 5^2root2, 2root2> root2 so answer is wrong
Both the question and the solution are 100% correct: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=%2 ... %2F2%29%29

Please study the discussion above.
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Can you see the difference here, the question asked is for 5^root2, and the input given in that link is 5(^root2)^2, for the input given I completely agree with the answer, but for the question given the answer is not correct, please reiterate.
Quote:

Both the question and the solution are 100% correct: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=%2 ... %2F2%29%29

Please study the discussion above.
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GMAT-Club-Forum-zd2ebq7p.png [ 36.61 KiB | Viewed 666 times ]
Attachment:
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GMAT-Club-Forum-xx8sg5nc.png [ 23.04 KiB | Viewed 665 times ]
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quialias


Can you see the difference here, the question asked is for 5^root2, and the input given in that link is 5(^root2)^2, for the input given I completely agree with the answer, but for the question given the answer is not correct, please reiterate.

Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-zd2ebq7p.png
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-xx8sg5nc.png

Please check the question:

Which of the following is equal to the square of \(5^{\sqrt{2} }\)?
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Ohhhh my bad, thanks a lot for the explanation. Its simple I misread the question, nice and simple trap, because of this learning, I wont do a similar error henceforth, thanks you.

Bunuel


Please check the question:

Which of the following is equal to the square of \(5^{\sqrt{2} }\)?
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I like the solution - it’s helpful.
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