403: An Exponent Question

Considering the tweet below, which mental path do you think is easiest for beginning students?  (Analytical, numerical, graphical, algebraic?)

Would you give a different hint to beginning students than to advanced students?

#mathchat #SATPrep Will the average of 2^48 & 2^50 be <,>, or = 2^49?
Hint: Think graphically!
Now show the actual avg is 1.25×2^49.
— David Marain (@dmarain) March 18, 2015