SOLUTION: The greatest common divisor of [(3)^(3)^(333)+1] & [(3)^(3)^(334)+1] is which of the following: (a)2 (b)1 (c)3^3^333 (d)20

Algebra ->  Divisibility and Prime Numbers -> SOLUTION: The greatest common divisor of [(3)^(3)^(333)+1] & [(3)^(3)^(334)+1] is which of the following: (a)2 (b)1 (c)3^3^333 (d)20      Log On


   

Question 1072284: The greatest common divisor of [(3)^(3)^(333)+1] & [(3)^(3)^(334)+1] is which of the following:
(a)2
(b)1
(c)3^3^333
(d)20
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20064) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Sorry, but there is no way to tell what 3^3^333 or (3)^(3)^(333) mean.

You MUST either write (3^3)^333 or 3^(3^333), 

not 3^3^333, and not (3)^(3)^(333)

Look at these two examples.

If you write 2^3^4, there is no way to tell
whether this means (2^3)^4 or 2^(3^4).  They
are NOT the same because:

(2^3)^4 = 8^4 = 4096

but

2^(3^4) = 2^81 =  2417851639229258349412352 

So you must put parentheses to show whether you
are associating the first two numbers or whether 
you are associating the last two numbers.

Edwin