Understanding Mathematical Operations

In mathematics, the symbols we use are fundamental to our calculations. The plus sign (+) indicates addition, while the multiplication sign (×) signifies multiplication. Today, we will explore a unique operation defined as follows:

x * y = x^y — y^x

To tackle this puzzle, I suggest you take a moment to pause, grab a pen and paper, and give it a try. Once you're ready, continue reading for the solution!

The First Step

Let’s begin by evaluating the expression (2 * 3).

This leads us to the calculations 2³ and 3²:

• 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
• 3² = 3 × 3 = 9

Subtracting these values gives us:

8 - 9 = -1.

Next Steps

Now, we must apply the same logic to -1 and 4.

We need to be cautious here with (-1)² and 4^(-1):

• (-1)² = (-1) × (-1) = 1
• 4^(-1) = 1/4

Combining these results gives us our final answer.

Final Thoughts

How fascinating was that? What were your thoughts during this process? Feel free to share in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

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Happy Solving, Bella!