Free practice questions/GMAT Focus Edition

GMAT Focus EditionExponents & Roots

6 free practice questions with full explanations.

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Question 1

What is the value of 8^(2/3)?

  • A) 2
  • B) 4
  • C) 8
  • D) 16
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Correct answer: B) 4

8^(2/3) = (8^(1/3))^2 = 2^2 = 4.

Question 2

Simplify: (2^5)(2^3) / 2^4

  • A) 2^2
  • B) 2^3
  • C) 2^4
  • D) 2^6
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Correct answer: C) 2^4

Using exponent rules: (2^5)(2^3) = 2^8. Then 2^8 / 2^4 = 2^(8-4) = 2^4.

Question 3

What is the value of the square root of 144 plus the square root of 81?

  • A) 19
  • B) 20
  • C) 21
  • D) 22
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Correct answer: C) 21

sqrt(144) = 12 and sqrt(81) = 9. 12 + 9 = 21.

Question 4

If x^3 = 27 and y^2 = 49, what is the value of x + y (assuming x and y are positive)?

  • A) 8
  • B) 9
  • C) 10
  • D) 11
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Correct answer: C) 10

x^3 = 27 means x = 3. y^2 = 49 means y = 7 (taking the positive root). x + y = 3 + 7 = 10.

Question 5

Simplify: 5^(-2)

  • A) -25
  • B) -10
  • C) 1/10
  • D) 1/25
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Correct answer: D) 1/25

A negative exponent means take the reciprocal: 5^(-2) = 1/5^2 = 1/25.

Question 6

Simplify: sqrt(50) + sqrt(18)

  • A) 8 sqrt(2)
  • B) 6 sqrt(2)
  • C) 68
  • D) sqrt(68)
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A) 8 sqrt(2)

sqrt(50) = sqrt(25x2) = 5 sqrt(2). sqrt(18) = sqrt(9x2) = 3 sqrt(2). Sum = 5sqrt(2) + 3sqrt(2) = 8 sqrt(2).

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