THE VALUE 2 TO THE 8TH POWER - 1 IS DIVISIBLE BY THREE PRIME NUMBERS. WHAT IS THE SUM OF THE THREE PRIME NUMBERS?

Just start at 2 and divide 255 which is (2^8)-1.

255/2 =127.5

Not divisible by 2.

255/3 = 85

We have one prime number, 3.

255/5 = 51

We have two prime numbers - 3,5.

255/7 = 36.43

Not divisible by 7

255/9 = 28.33

Not divisible by 9

255/11 = 23.18

Not divisible by 11

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255/17 = 15

We have three prime numbers - 3,5,17.

So the sum of them are:

3+5+17 = 25

or, since a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)

(2^8-1) = (16-1)(16+1) = (4-1)(4+1)(16+1) = 3*5*17

To find the sum of the three prime numbers that divide the value 2 to the 8th power minus 1, we first need to calculate the value.

2^8 - 1 can be simplified as follows:
2^8 = 256
256 - 1 = 255

Now, let's find the prime factors of 255.

The prime factors of 255 are 3, 5, and 17.

Therefore, the sum of the three prime numbers is:
3 + 5 + 17 = 25

To find out if the value 2 to the 8th power minus 1 is divisible by three prime numbers, we first need to calculate this value.

2 to the 8th power means multiplying 2 eight times: 2^8 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 = 256.

Next, we subtract 1 from this value: 256 - 1 = 255.

Now, let's check if 255 is divisible by any prime numbers. We'll divide it by prime numbers starting from 2 and increasing until we find three prime numbers that divide it.

255 divided by 2 gives us a remainder of 1. So it is not divisible by 2.

255 divided by 3 gives us a quotient of 85 with no remainder. So it is divisible by 3.

Thus, we have found one prime number that divides 255: 3. But we need to find two more prime numbers.

255 divided by 5 gives us a remainder of 0. So it is divisible by 5.

Therefore, we have found another prime number that divides 255: 5. Now we need to find the final one.

255 divided by 7 gives us a remainder of 6. So it is not divisible by 7.

Finally, we have found three prime numbers that divide the result 2^8 - 1 (which is 255): 3, 5, and 7.

To find the sum of these three prime numbers, we add them together: 3 + 5 + 7 = 15.

Therefore, the sum of the three prime numbers that 2 to the 8th power minus 1 is divisible by is 15.