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2013 Math Kangaroo

Problem 6

Problem 6 · 2013 Math Kangaroo Medium
Algebra & Patterns number-systems

If you add \(4^{15}\) and \(8^{10}\), you obtain a number that is a power of two. Determine that number.

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Answer: E — \(2^{31}\)
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Hint 1 of 2
Rewrite both terms as powers of 2 before adding.
Still stuck? Show hint 2 →
Hint 2 of 2
Equal powers of 2 add to double one of them — that just bumps the exponent up by 1.
Show solution
Approach: express both terms with base 2
  1. 4¹⁵ = (2²)¹⁵ = 2³⁰ and 8¹⁰ = (2³)¹⁰ = 2³⁰.
  2. So the sum is 2³⁰ + 2³⁰ = 2 · 2³⁰ = 2³¹.
  3. The number is 2³¹.
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