Math Is Fun Forum

silverpuma

Member

Registered: 2011-06-19

Posts: 80

A tip on how to order 2^3, 3^4, 4^5 etc by their value.

Hi all,  I was wondering if there is a quick way of answering a test question I had tonight.  I'm just beginning out learning Math so things are at the basic level.

The question was to order 10 numbers like 2^4, 5^3, 7^2, 3^5, 9^2 etc in a list beginning with the one having the smallest value.  I did the multiplication and got them all right but I was wondering if there is a easy/quick way of getting the answer of say for example, 9^4 compared to 5^6 instead of manually working out without a calculator 9x9x9x9 / 5x5x5x5x5x5.  Thanks in advance

Last edited by silverpuma (2011-06-19 17:27:56)

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“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.”  ―  Winston Churchill

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: A tip on how to order 2^3, 3^4, 4^5 etc by their value.

Hi silverpuma;

9^4 compared to 5^6 instead of manually working out without a calculator

For small ones like 9^4 and 5^6, I think multiplication is fastest. Or you could use the exponentiation key.

You could use logarithms but I would not say that is easier.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

silverpuma

Member

Registered: 2011-06-19

Posts: 80

Re: A tip on how to order 2^3, 3^4, 4^5 etc by their value.

Hi silverpuma;

9^4 compared to 5^6 instead of manually working out without a calculator

For small ones like 9^4 and 5^6, I think multiplication is fastest. Or you could use the exponentiation key.

You could use logarithms but I would not say that is easier.

Thanks Bobbym, I'll google the exponentiation key....

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“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.”  ―  Winston Churchill