1959 AMC 12 Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 1959 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1959 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

5.

The value of (256)0.16⋅(256)0.09(256)^{0.16}\cdot(256)^{0.09} is:
44
1616
6464
256.25256.25
−16-16
Answer: A
Concepts:exponentradical
Small hint:
Add the exponents because the bases are equal
Big hint:
The sum of the decimal exponents is 14\frac{1}{4}
Solution:
Using the product rule for powers, 2560.16⋅2560.09=2560.25=25614=4. \begin{aligned} 256^{0.16}\cdot256^{0.09} &=256^{0.25}\\ &=256^{\frac{1}{4}}=4. \end{aligned}
Therefore, the correct answer is A.
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