What is the largest power of k question

[Guest]

What is the largest power k such as 3^k divides easily into 40? With out anyremainders?
a. 1
b. 4
c. 13
d. 17
e. none of these

I know a can't be right as 40 is to even of a number to be that only.
but do I use the k like tha other problem with 1/2^3, 1/2^4...and so on? Or is there another one???

 

[jolly]

I know a can't be right as 40 is to even of a number to be that only.
but do I use the k like tha other problem with 1/2^3, 1/2^4...and so on? Or is there another one???

huh? :?

 

[Denis]

mom or daughter, 3^k means 3 is multiplied by itself k times; examples:
if k=4, then 3 * 3 = 9 * 3 = 27 * 3 = 81 or 3*3*3*3 = 81
if k=7, then 3*3*3*3*3*3*3 = 2187

ALSO: please use correct English; if not, you're exasperating us (me anyway) :shock:

 

[TchrQbic]

What is the largest power k such as 3^k divides easily into 40? With out anyremainders?
a. 1
b. 4
c. 13
d. 17
e. none of these

I know a can't be right as 40 is to even of a number to be that only.
but do I use the k like tha other problem with 1/2^3, 1/2^4...and so on? Or is there another one???

This problem isn't like the summation problem. Did you state this problem exactly as given? It seems a little strange. One way to answer this problem is to find the prime factors of 40 and see if there are any 3s among them. The number of 3s among the prime factors would be the 'k' value that answers this question.

 

[stapel]

What is the largest power k such as 3^k divides [evenly] into 40?

Do you know what it means for something to "divide evenly" into another number?

do I use the k like tha other problem with 1/2^3, 1/2^4...and so on? Or is there another one?

Are you not familiar with exponents? Should we find online lessons that will help you learn about exponents and their notation?

40 is to even of a number to be that only

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what this means.

Eliz.

 

[Guest]

Thanks and sorry

Sorry about the spelling but was also helping my other 3 kids including building the Vietnam Memorial and tired! Excuses I know but will try not to have so many spelling errors from now on. I normally type it on word then copy and paste since spelling isn’t my strong suit, it’s obvious that math isn’t it either.

Yes I know how to divide evenly... no remainders? Or is that not what it means? I do look on the web for other sites to do problems and try only to ask here is I can't seem to find any.

Because the "K" problem before this I tried to figure it out but didn't know I was suppose to multiply the number but 3 each time. And I still don’t know how to figure out the answer

I understand exponents but the k threw me as the other problem was the first I'd ever used it since I was in college, almost 20 years ago.

Problem was written just as it was on the paper but none of the answers looked even possible? In fact I'd love to now the answer even though the paper's handed in so I can figure out how you do it for future reference.

Thanks to all of you that gave a lot of your time to help both me and my daughter, it's wonderful to see so many people willing to help a stranger. Thank again, K

 

[stapel]

Yes I know how to divide evenly.... I tried to figure it out but didn't know....

So far, it seems we've mostly heard about how the mother is getting stuck in trying to do the student's homework. As has been mentioned, it would be much more helpful if we could please hear from the student regarding what the student knows, or needs to know.

Please have your daughter reply, showing all of her work and reasoning, and stating where she is having difficulty.

Thank you.

Eliz.

 

[Guest]

She doesn't get the answers 'til she figures them on her own

Normally she does when we use this but this was a one time worksheet, so when she gets into these problems in the future she can show more of her work...I would just like to know the answer as I know she just guessed on this one but I've been trying to figure it out for my own knowledge.
I don't know how to start this problem...some one said 3^k would start like 3^2=9
9 * 3^3= 243 but that jumps over all the answers??
Then I tried factoring forty to see what times 3 is close to 40, which would be 13 *3 but that has a reminder of 1? So I'm lost
She handed the sheet in this morning so told me, "why do you care?" after school but I do because it will drive me crazy to never figure out the problem. Can you tell me where to turn so I can please figure this one out?
Thanks for all your help and such, but please no I didn't just give her the answers off here I just helper to figure out them and when she got the right answer I told her that it was the right one. I expect her to do the work but when it's something I don't understand it's hard to help.
Thanks again and if you can tell where to start I'll sure work on it! K

 

[Guest]

I found out how to do it I think???

is it correct that I would take three to the power of the answers?

Like this:
a. 3^1 = 3
b. 3^4 = 81
c. 3^13 = 1594323
d. 3^17 = 129140163

And since none of these work the answer would be e??? I hope so it would be great to finally figure this problem out before I help with tonights hoework!

Thanks again to everybody! K

 

[Mrspi]

Re: I found out how to do it I think???

is it correct that I would take three to the power of the answers?

Like this:
a. 3^1 = 3
b. 3^4 = 81
c. 3^13 = 1594323
d. 3^17 = 129140163

And since none of these work the answer would be e??? I hope so it would be great to finally figure this problem out before I help with tonights hoework!

Thanks again to everybody! K

This looks like a reasonable approach....since none of the powers of 3 given will evenly divide 40, the answer choice expected is (e).

But rather than grinding through all those choices, wouldn't it be better to see what divisors 40 has?

40 = 2*2*2*5

Note that 40 has NO factors of 3. So, 3 raised to any non-zero power will not be a factor of 40.

Now, at the risk of offending you (because I believe you are a truly caring mother), I suggest that if your children have questions, let THEM ask, and let them explain what they've tried to do to solve their problems.

From what I've seen here, you are putting WAY more work into this than your children are. YOU are the one who is doing all the work, typing the questions here and (I assume) translating what we suggest to your kids. Is this really helping your kids?? I think not. You can point your children in our direction, and we'll be glad to help them. Please note that I said "help THEM."

At some point, you will have children going off to college.....is Mom going to be checking homework then? Is Mom going to edit a term paper, "paste up" a poster, or help review for a test? The very best gift you can give your child educationally is the ability to work independently....from my point of view, you're not heading in the right direction here.

I'm sorry if you feel I'm being critical. I don't intend it that way....