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Without grouping symbols, the expression $$\verb/2 ⋅ 3 ^ 3 + 4/$$ has a value of $58$. Insert grouping symbols in the expression $\verb/2 ⋅ 3 ^ 3 + 4/$ to produce the indicated values.

A. $62$
B. $220$
C. $4{,}374$
D. $279{,}936$

I have solved for A and B.

A. $2\cdot ( 3^3 + 4 ) = 62$

B. $(2\cdot 3)^3 + 4 = 220$

C and D just seem impossible to conjure.

achille hui
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Marisol
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    I wonder what $6^7$ is, – David Mitra Jul 29 '15 at 15:55
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    probably more than $2\cdot 3^7$ – Bort Jul 29 '15 at 15:59
  • @DavidMitra Okay but where did you place grouping symbols to get that? – Marisol Jul 29 '15 at 16:00
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    Actually, the formula should be typeset linearly, $2\cdot3\ 3+4$. –  Jul 29 '15 at 16:00
  • @marisol this is more of a "game" questions than serious math. Maybe it is clearer if I don't use the mathjax "2 x 3 ^ 3 + 4" ,now insert parentheses – Bort Jul 29 '15 at 16:01
  • @Marisol Does my answer help? – User1234 Jul 29 '15 at 16:02
  • Hmm... Is $(2\cdot3)^{(3}+4)$ legal? I would agree with you now. – David Mitra Jul 29 '15 at 16:02
  • @BetterWorld yes, the result is correct but how is inserting paranthesis between 3 and ^3 and after +4 legit? – Marisol Jul 29 '15 at 16:05
  • @Marisol Sorry, but I couldn't understand your query. Which one are you talking about? – User1234 Jul 29 '15 at 16:06
  • Your original question (if I remember correctly) was: $$$$2.3^3+4,$$$$ right? Here, you can quite easily rewrite the above expression as $$$$2.3^(3+4)$$$$The rest follows. – User1234 Jul 29 '15 at 16:09
  • @BetterWorld What i meant was, is it even possible to separate a base from its exponent by using grouping symbols ( parenthesis) ? Because that's the only way that you could get 279,936. – Marisol Jul 29 '15 at 16:10
  • again @marisol this problem is meant as a joke or if you will a practice in out of the box thinking. If you are interested in a more legit problem, try e) 126 – Bort Jul 29 '15 at 16:13
  • @Bort yes, it does seem like a joke but it can't be because it's in my sister's algebra book... :/ – Marisol Jul 29 '15 at 17:28

1 Answers1

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Perhaps you could consider the following: $$2\times 3^{(3+4)}$$$$(2\times 3)^{(3+4)}$$

User1234
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