Analyzing the Setup
Welcome, fellow traveler of the mathematical realm. Today, we are not just solving a problem; we are peeling back the layers of exponential growth.
Imagine you have two sets, A and B, with m and n elements respectively. The number of subsets of a set is a fundamental concept in combinatorics, governed by the elegant power of two: 2k.
When we say set A has m elements, we are essentially saying there are 2m ways to choose a subset from it.
The Equation of Difference
We are told that the difference between the subsets of A and B is 112. Mathematically, this gives us the beautiful, yet daunting, equation:
At first glance, this looks like a single equation with two unknowns—a situation that usually makes us nervous. But wait! We are dealing with integers, and more importantly, we are dealing with powers of 2.
This is a hidden constraint that turns a difficult problem into a solvable puzzle.
The Art of Factoring
To unlock this, we must use the power of factoring. Let us pull out the smaller term, 2n, from the expression:
Now, look closely at what we have created. On the left, we have a product of an even number (2n) and an odd number (2m−n−1).
On the right, we have the number 112. To solve this, we must perform a prime factorization of 112. We know that 112=16×7, which is the same as 24×7.
The Elegant Comparison
This is where the magic happens. We have:
Because 2n is a power of 2 and (2m−n−1) is an odd number, we can equate the even and odd parts separately. By comparing the powers of 2, we immediately see that 2n=24, which gives us n=4.
Now, for the odd part:
Adding 1 to both sides, we get 2m−n=8. Since 8 is 23, we conclude that m−n=3.
Substituting our known value of n=4, we find that m−4=3, leading us to m=7.
The Final Triumph
We have navigated the exponential landscape and arrived at our destination. We found m=7 and n=4.
The problem asks for the product m⋅n. Thus:
Take a moment to appreciate the symmetry here. We didn't need complex calculus or heavy machinery; we relied on the fundamental properties of numbers.
When you face such problems in the JEE, remember: look for the structure, factorize with intent, and trust the logic of the integers. You have mastered this concept today, and that is a victory worth celebrating. The final answer is 28.