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I certainly see the short method and understand that, I'm still stuck though on the long hand.

When I get to this step, \(m^n (\frac{m-1}{m})\) I don't recognize the rules that let us move the division to the other part of the forumla to finish it.

You can manipulate in many ways: \(\frac{xy}{z}=x*\frac{y}{z}=y*\frac{x}{z}=xy*\frac{1}{z}=xyz^{-1}=...\). So, \(m^n (\frac{m-1}{m})= \frac{m^n(m-1)}{m}=\frac{m^n}{m}*(m-1)=m^{n-1}*(m-1)\).

Hope it's clear.
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Thanks for all the help, it's much clearer now! I was just being thick about it.
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I'm using the MGMAT Number Properties book and I'm hoping someone can please explain a concept for me.

Going to and from Distributed Form and Factored Form...

a^b-a^(b-1) turns into a^b(1-a^(-1)) = a^(b-1)(a-1)
I understand the first step, but how do you get from a^b(1-a^(-1)) to a^(b-1)(a-1)?

Sorry for not using the math tag. The equation in the exponent seems to mess up the formatting. Thanks in advance!
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Merging similar topics.

GSDster
I'm using the MGMAT Number Properties book and I'm hoping someone can please explain a concept for me.

Going to and from Distributed Form and Factored Form...

a^b-a^(b-1) turns into a^b(1-a^(-1)) = a^(b-1)(a-1)
I understand the first step, but how do you get from a^b(1-a^(-1)) to a^(b-1)(a-1)?

Sorry for not using the math tag. The equation in the exponent seems to mess up the formatting. Thanks in advance!

The only difference is the names of variables:

You can directly factor out \(a^{b-1}\) from \(a^b-a^{b-1}\) and get \(a^{b-1}*(a-1)\) as \(a^{b-1}*(a-1)=a^{b-1}*a-a^{b-1}=a^b-a^{b-1}\).

Or the long way: \(a^b-a^{b-1}=a^b-a^b*a^{-1}\) -> factor out \(a^b\): \(a^b(1-a^{-1})=a^b(1-\frac{1}{a})=a^b(\frac{a-1}{a})=\frac{a^b}{a}*(a-1)=a^{b-1}*(a-1)\).
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Merging similar topics.

GSDster
I'm using the MGMAT Number Properties book and I'm hoping someone can please explain a concept for me.

Going to and from Distributed Form and Factored Form...

a^b-a^(b-1) turns into a^b(1-a^(-1)) = a^(b-1)(a-1)
I understand the first step, but how do you get from a^b(1-a^(-1)) to a^(b-1)(a-1)?

Sorry for not using the math tag. The equation in the exponent seems to mess up the formatting. Thanks in advance!

The only difference is the names of variables:

You can directly factor out \(a^{b-1}\) from \(a^b-a^{b-1}\) and get \(a^{b-1}*(a-1)\) as \(a^{b-1}*(a-1)=a^{b-1}*a-a^{b-1}=a^b-a^{b-1}\).

Or the long way: \(a^b-a^{b-1}=a^b-a^b*a^{-1}\) -> factor out \(a^b\): \(a^b(1-a^{-1})=a^b(1-\frac{1}{a})=a^b(\frac{a-1}{a})=\frac{a^b}{a}*(a-1)=a^{b-1}*(a-1)\).

Thanks for the response! Man, that long way really is long. Are there any times when I will actually have to do the long way, or can I just sort of skip all that and memorize the format of the factored form? I guess what I'm really asking is, are there any conditions that I should be aware of for when I can or can't use the shortcut?
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GSDster

Thanks for the response! Man, that long way really is long. Are there any times when I will actually have to do the long way, or can I just sort of skip all that and memorize the format of the factored form? I guess what I'm really asking is, are there any conditions that I should be aware of for when I can or can't use the shortcut?

Second approach looks long just because every step is written. You can use first approach if you like it more. Anyway, I'd advice to study and understand fundamentals rather than to memorize some specific "formats".
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Bunuel
Second approach looks long just because every step is written. You can use first approach if you like it more. Anyway, I'd advice to study and understand fundamentals rather than to memorize some specific "formats".

I hear you on that. The long formula isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I tried playing around with it, going forward and backwards, and subbing in numbers, and it seems straight-forward enough. But the real test will be when I need to recognize and apply it in a problem (still haven't run into any problems that require it). Thanks again!



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