Question

If a = 3 and b = 2, then find the value of the following.

(i) a^b + b^a

(ii) a^a – b^b

(iii) (a + b)^b

(iv) (a – b)^a

Answer 1

(i) a^b + b^a

a = 3 and b = 2

We get 3² + 2³ = (3 x 3) + (2 x 2 x 2) 

= 9 + 8 

= 17

(ii) (a^a – b^b)

Substituting a = 3 and b = 2

We get 3² – 2² = (3 x 3 x 3) – (2 x 2) 

= 27 – 4 

= 23

(iii) (a + b)^b

Substituting a = 3 and b = 2

We get (3 + 2)² = 5² 

= 5 x 5 

= 25

(iv) (a – b)^a

Substituting a = 3 and b = 2

We get (3 – 2)³ = 1³

= 1 x 1 x 1 

= 1