58Matching exponent bases
If , what is the value of ?
The trick is to make the bases match: since 4 = 2², rewrite 4^(x+2) as 2^(2x+4), so the exponents give 3x = 2x + 4, meaning x = 4. Check: 2^12 = 4096 and 4^6 = 4096 ✓.
If , what is the value of ?
The trick is to make the bases match: since 4 = 2², rewrite 4^(x+2) as 2^(2x+4), so the exponents give 3x = 2x + 4, meaning x = 4. Check: 2^12 = 4096 and 4^6 = 4096 ✓.