Question from GMAT Prep

[jay.obaze]

Please can I get assistance with this question?

What's the greatest prime factor of 2^100 - 2^96?

[ameya]

Take 2^96 common from 2^100 - 2^96
=> 2^96(2^4 - 1)
=> 2^96 x 16-1
It is clear that we have following primes 2, 3, 5 as 15 is part of the equation so 5 should be the answer.

Ameya

[jnelson0612]

Take 2^96 common from 2^100 - 2^96
=> 2^96(2^4 - 1)
=> 2^96 x 16-1
It is clear that we have following primes 2, 3, 5 as 15 is part of the equation so 5 should be the answer.

Ameya

Very nice Ameya! Jay, let us know if you have further questions.