16Hit1600
Advanced MathMediumExponent sum from a product of function values

Advanced Math practice question

The function f is defined by f(x) = 2ˣ. If f(a) · f(b) = 32, what is the value of a + b?

Answer: 5

f(a) · f(b) = 2ᵃ · 2ᵇ = 2^(a + b) = 32 = 2⁵, so a + b = 5.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 10
10 doubles the correct value.
If you answered 16
16 comes from 2^(a + b) = 32 read as a + b = 32 ÷ 2.
If you answered 32
32 is the product, not the exponent.

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