Math Is Fun Forum

power man

Member

Registered: 2006-12-26

Posts: 160

exponent q

is there a quick way to find 2 to the 51st power without using a calculator other than paper and pencil???

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most people make mistakes, butt not me!
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JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: exponent q

You have

Square that

Square again

Keep on squaring

Until you get to

Now notice that 51 = 32 + 16 + 3. Hence

power man

Member

Registered: 2006-12-26

Posts: 160

Re: exponent q

cool thanks a bunch

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I hate people who hate people.
most people make mistakes, butt not me!
why     is     it     when     you     are     writing     something     important     you     run     out       of        spa

Ricky

Moderator

Registered: 2005-12-04

Posts: 3,791

Re: exponent q

Just write your answer in binary:

100000...50 times....000000

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"In the real world, this would be a problem.  But in mathematics, we can just define a place where this problem doesn't exist.  So we'll go ahead and do that now..."