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Under the intense pressure of test day, expect to forget some basic math rules. In these instances, don your toga and pretend that you are a Greek mathematician 2500 years ago. Take a moment out to prove basic laws of math.

For example:
45²⁵ ÷ 45¹² = ?
 

Pardon me, Mr. test proctor, but I am in the midst of the most important test of my life and I seem to have forgotten an obscure math rule... Would you mind taking a moment to remind me what exactly happens when you divide exponents?

No, GMAT proctors will not give you such information on test day, regardless of how politely you may ask. Therefore you must derive the math rule on-the-fly. Why don't we "experiment" with the number 2?

2³ ÷ 2² = 2¹?
8 ÷ 4 = 2?

Voila! Yes, you do subtract exponents from the same base when you divide! Experiments can be very time consuming, but if you aren't running behind and are determined to get that question right, give it a shot.

GMAT Math Introduction Chapter 1: Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction   Section 2: 8 Math Strategies (advanced)    1. Plow    2. Don't Do That Math!    3. Backsolving    4. Plug-In (Testing Numbers)    5. Ballpark (Possible Range Strategy)    6. Experiment    7. Find Patterns    8. Ladder of Difficulty   Section 3: 5-Step Method (advanced)   Find Patterns

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2.5 Ballpark	2.7 Find Patterns