Lesson: Introduction to Exponents

IMPORTANT: On September 22, 2023, ETS (the GRE test-makers) changed the format of the GRE. The updated tests still tests the same content the "old" edition tested, EXCEPT the Analyze the Argument essay has been removed from the Analytical Writing section. The new test also has shorter sections. The details of these changes can be found here. 

The layout of this prep course, including the Study Guide, will not be updated to reflect the changes to the test as Brent, the founder of Greenlight Test Prep, has recently joined the team at Target Test Prep.  

That said, since this video prep course still covers all of the content tested on the updated edition, it can still be used to prepare. The onus, however, will be on you to to familiarize yourself with the changes to the test, which can be found here.   

Reinforcement Activities

Comment on Introduction to Exponents

HannahEWolfe - May 12, 2020
Hi!

So I was working on this practice question: https://gre.myprepclub.com/forum/x-is-an-integer-greater-than-1724.html

I got confused, the answer is "D." someone in the comments said that when X=1, A is greater. I am confused because the given info says X is "an integer greater than 1." I assumed that this means it could not equal 1, because 1 is not greater than 1. Is that thinking not right?
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - May 12, 2020

Question link: https://gre.myprepclub.com/forum/x-is-an-integer-greater-than-1724.html

You're right; the person should have tested a different value. Let's do that.

CASE I: If x = 2, we get:
QUANTITY A: 3^(x + 1) = 3^(2 + 1) = 3^3 = 27
QUANTITY B: 4^x = 4^2 = 16
In this case, Quantity A is greater.

CASE II: If x = 4, we get:
QUANTITY A: 3^(x + 1) = 3^(4 + 1) = 3^5 = 243
QUANTITY B: 4^x = 4^4 = 256
In this case, Quantity B is greater.

Answer: still D :-)

HannahEWolfe - May 12, 2020
THANKS!

mwahabsultan - October 28, 2022
Hey Brent i have a question......

8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 8(5) = 40
but if 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 than we cant factor it out like above as 8(1*1*1*1*1) = 8 and not equal to 8^5

right?
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - October 28, 2022

When it comes to factoring, we can only factor the terms that are separated by addition and subtraction operations.
When the terms are separated by addition and subtraction operations, we must factor the same value out of each term.
For example: 3x + 6xy - 12x² = 3x(1 + 2y - 4x)

When the terms are separated by multiplication operations, then we can only factor ONE of the terms.
For example, I can take 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 and factor a 2 out of the first 8 to get (2)(4) * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8 * 8

Here's a video on factoring: https://www.greenlighttestprep.com/module/gre-algebra-and-equation-solvi...

mwahabsultan - October 28, 2022
Brent god bless you for this explanation!!!!
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - October 28, 2022

Thanks for that!

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