MathDB
Power Minimization

Source:

January 9, 2009

Problem Statement

Given that 3^8\cdot5^2 \equal{} a^b, where both a a and b b are positive integers, find the smallest possible value for a \plus{} b. <spanclass=latexbold>(A)</span> 25<spanclass=latexbold>(B)</span> 34<spanclass=latexbold>(C)</span> 351<spanclass=latexbold>(D)</span> 407<spanclass=latexbold>(E)</span> 900 <span class='latex-bold'>(A)</span>\ 25 \qquad <span class='latex-bold'>(B)</span>\ 34 \qquad <span class='latex-bold'>(C)</span>\ 351 \qquad <span class='latex-bold'>(D)</span>\ 407 \qquad <span class='latex-bold'>(E)</span>\ 900