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2009 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 6

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The following problem is from both the 2009 AMC 12A #6 and 2009 AMC 10A #13, so both problems redirect to this page.

Problem

Suppose that P = 2^m and Q = 3^n. Which of the following is equal to 12^{mn} for every pair of integers (m,n)?

\textbf{(A)}\ P^2Q \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ P^nQ^m \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ P^nQ^{2m} \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ P^{2m}Q^n \qquad \textbf{(...

Solution

We have 12^{mn} = (2\cdot 2\cdot 3)^{mn} = 2^{2mn} \cdot 3^{mn} = (2^m)^{2n} \cdot (3^n)^m = \boxed{P^{2n} Q^m}.

See Also

2009 AMC 12A (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 5
Followed by
Problem 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2009 AMC 10A (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 12
Followed by
Problem 14
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Want to learn how to tackle those tough MATHCOUNTS and AMC counting and probability problems? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Counting & Probability by David Patrick.
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