Processing math: 100%
 
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X = 10^10^100
What does that mean?
X=(1010)100                 X=10(10100)
Please reply with reason.

 Sep 5, 2017

Best Answer 

 #3
avatar+2446 
+1

Hmmm... I'm sorry for not explaining the exponent towers earlier. I'll try my best to give a logical explanation on why exponent towers should be evaluated from the top downward despite it possibly being counterintuitive. To answer your original question, 1010100=10(10100)

 

Let's use the variables a, b, and c and suppose that abc=(ab)c=abc, then the existence of exponent towers would be completely unnecessary as only one level of the exponent would ever be necessary; there must be a reason for such notation to exist. 

 

Another reason is that it is consistent with the order of operations. Exponents is a level below parentheses when it comes to priority, but the order of operations applys to the power, too. Here's an example:

 

22+3=25=32

322=34=81

 

And therefore, you must evaluate the exponent within the exponent. Does this make sense?

 

I learned today that even modern-day programs calculate have ambiguity in the matter. Excel 2013 is an example, as 232 outputs 64 as opposed to 256. In the future, 

 Sep 6, 2017
edited by TheXSquaredFactor  Sep 6, 2017
 #1
avatar
+1

X = (10^10)^100 = (10,000,000,000)^100 = 10^(10*100) = 10^1,000.

 

X = 10^(10^100) = 10^(1 + 100 zeroes) = 10 ^ 10 ^ 100 = 10^googol.

 Sep 5, 2017
 #2
avatar+9488 
+2

I think that when parenthesees aren't included, it makes the most sense to say....

 

a ^ b ^ c  =  a ^ ( b^c )

 

c  does not apply to  a  and  b  ,     c  applies only to  b  .

 Sep 6, 2017
edited by hectictar  Sep 6, 2017
edited by hectictar  Sep 6, 2017
 #3
avatar+2446 
+1
Best Answer

Hmmm... I'm sorry for not explaining the exponent towers earlier. I'll try my best to give a logical explanation on why exponent towers should be evaluated from the top downward despite it possibly being counterintuitive. To answer your original question, 1010100=10(10100)

 

Let's use the variables a, b, and c and suppose that abc=(ab)c=abc, then the existence of exponent towers would be completely unnecessary as only one level of the exponent would ever be necessary; there must be a reason for such notation to exist. 

 

Another reason is that it is consistent with the order of operations. Exponents is a level below parentheses when it comes to priority, but the order of operations applys to the power, too. Here's an example:

 

22+3=25=32

322=34=81

 

And therefore, you must evaluate the exponent within the exponent. Does this make sense?

 

I learned today that even modern-day programs calculate have ambiguity in the matter. Excel 2013 is an example, as 232 outputs 64 as opposed to 256. In the future, 

TheXSquaredFactor Sep 6, 2017
edited by TheXSquaredFactor  Sep 6, 2017

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