(8^16)+(16^10)+(4^24) = ?
Pick
A) (4)*(2^29+1) B) (6)*(2^48) C) (9)*(2^49) D) (28)*(2^53) E) 2^148
I think you are assuming that (X^Y) + (X^Z) is = (X^Y+Z) which is not true, as it only applies to multiplication. Rather it would have to be (X^Y)(X^Z) = (X^YZ)   So when you simplify down to 2^48 + 2^52 + 2^48 you cannot just add exponents.   Here's how my brain works with this one,   Step 1: Recognize a common base.   (8^16) + (16^13) + (4^24) = ((2^2)^16) + ((2^4)^13) + ((2^2)^24) = (2^48) + (2^52) + (2^48)   Step 2: Recognize the factor and pull out of the equation.   = (2^48)(1 + (2^4) + 1)   = (2^48)(1 + 16 + 1)   = (2^48)(18)   Step 3: Recognize this is not an answer and adapt.   (2^48)(18) = (2^48)(2)(9) = 2^148   Answer is 2^148.
<result>E</result>
(8^16)+(16^10)+(4^24) = ?