Winners for "Win SBD in this multiple choice math contest: ((√2)^√2)^√2 = ?"

in #education7 years ago (edited)

Winners check your wallets from "Win SBD in this multiple choice math contest:
((√2)^√2)^√2 = ?"

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There are 9 steemians that got the correct answer, but only 6 of the 9 that followed the directions correctly. So 6 will receive a full share and 3 will receive a half share. I wish the rewards were higher, but so far there is only 2.547 SBD to divide up. There were only 40 views and only 20 upvotes.

I will also add all the SBD from this post to the pot for a second distribution after 7 days. Hopefully some whales and/or a lot of dolphins and minnows will upvote this post so you are rewarded well for having some good math skills.

You can see the original post here:
https://steemit.com/education/@point/win-sbd-in-this-multiple-choice-math-contest-2-2-2

There are several easy ways to determine the correct answer.

The easiest way is to remember how exponents work. (a^b)^c = (ab)c = abc

Substituting in with √2 gives us: ((√2)^√2)^√2 = ((√2)√2)√2 = (√2)(√2)(√2) = (√2)2 = 2

You can also use a scientific calculator to find the answer or to double check your answer. Many phones now have scientific calculators when you open your calculator and turn your phone horizontal. You should have a √ symbol and a yx symbol.

These are the steps for my old old iphone (original iphone, still works as a calculator but not supported by apple anymore)
Step 1. press mc to clear the calculator's memory
Step 2. enter 2
Step 3. press √ (it should now display 1.4142... which is approx. √2)
Step 4. press m+ (this adds it to the memory)
Step 5. press yx
Step 6. press mr (to recall the 1.4142... from memory)
Step 7. press = (it should now display 1.63... which is approx. √2√2)
Step 8. press yx
Step 9. press mr (recalls 1.4142...)
Step 10. press = (it should now display 2 which is the correct answer)

These are the steps for a new low cost smart phone.
Step 1. enter (√2^√2)^√2
The correct answer 2 is displayed on the second line.

Another way is to go to http://www.wolframalpha.com/
and paste in (√2^√2)^√2
You should see the correct answer 2 right away.

And just to be sure, you can also substitute √2 with 1.4142 (a little less than √2) and 1.4143 (a little more than √2)
That is: (1.4142^1.4142)^1.4142 < 2
And: (1.4143^1.4143)^1.4143 > 2

The 6 full winners are:
@doughtaker
@dkmathstats
@pizzachain
@americandiamond
@anyway
@mathworksheets

Congrats

The correct answer is: 2, which was choice C. The winning payout is only 0.340 SBD for each winner and 0.170 SBD for winners that didn't upvote as instructed.

I hope you had a little fun with this.

You can generalize it: (√a^√2)^√2 = (√a√2)√2 = a

And: ((∛a^∛3)^∛3)^∛3 = ((∛a∛3)∛3)∛3 = a

You can play with it and find other formulas. Put some formulas in the comments for an upvote.

Many thanks to all upvoters and participants.

And don't forget to upvote this post so the winners can earn a little more for their efforts.

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Pretty cool problem! I will try it out with my students when we get to the exponent unit.

Thank you for your nice comment.

Nice question. Can do in mathematical way by hand :

{(√2)^√2}^√2

= {2^(1/2)*√2}^√2

= {2^(1/√4)*√2}^√2

= 2^{(1/√2)*√2}

= 2^{1}

= 2

Reminded me of my Surds and Indices classes. :p

Yes. You have a nice way to solve it. Please don't forget to upvote.