Math Help!!

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>The question reads:</p>

<p>(a^2*b^8)^(1/2)=162, when a and b are positive integers. </p>

<p>what is a+b?</p>

<p>It gave an answer of 5, which I understand, but can't it be 163? a=162, b=1?</p>

<p>It was a grid-in for PSAT, so what if this appeared on the PSAT? Is it possible? </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>If it was a grid-in, both answers should be correct.</p>

3

<p>but, I got marked wrong, so what if this happened on the real PSAT?</p>