SOLUTION: Replace each of the variables a, b, and c with a different digit selected from the set {2, 3, 5, 6, 8}. What is the greatest possible value of the expression {{{a^b+c}}} that is le

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: Replace each of the variables a, b, and c with a different digit selected from the set {2, 3, 5, 6, 8}. What is the greatest possible value of the expression {{{a^b+c}}} that is le      Log On


   



Question 334005: Replace each of the variables a, b, and c with a different digit selected from the set {2, 3, 5, 6, 8}. What is the greatest possible value of the expression a%5Eb%2Bc that is less than 100?
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20060) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The answer could not use 2%5E8 or any power of 3, 5, 6, or 8 higher than the
power 2, since that would result in a value over 100 even before adding c.

So the value of the first term a%5Eb could at most be one of these

2%5E6=64, 3%5E2=9, 5%5E2=25, 6%5E2=36, or 8%5E2=64

So the most we could get for a%5Eb is 64.  So the answer is between using
2%5E6 and 8%5E2.  However if we used 8%5E2 for the 64, the largest number 8 
would not be available for c to add to it, whereas if we use 2%5E6, we can
add the largest number 8 to that.  Thus the answer is:

2%5E6%2B8=72 

Edwin