Inactive Tutor answered 10/30/14
Tutor
New to Wyzant
Exponential terms with the same base and exponent can be treated as if they were variables for the purpose of adding or subtracting like terms.
2x + 2 + 3 * 2x = 56
2x + 3 * 2x = 54
4 * 2x = 54
2x = 27/2
To get the variable out of the exponent, convert to log form
x = log2 (27/2)
x = log2 27 - log2 2
x = log2 33 - 1
x = 3 log2 3 - 1
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If you can get two exponential expressions to have the same base and be equal, then their exponents must also be equal.
(4/9)m+2 = (8/27)1+m
((2/3)2)m+2 = ((2/3)3)m+1
(2/3)2m+4 = (2/3)3m+3
2m+4 = 3m+3
1 = m
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Again, you can manipulate the expressions to have the same base, and set the exponents equal. Remember that 1/xa = x-a
10n+2 = 1/10,0001-n
10n+2 = 10,000-1+n
10n+2 = (104)n-1
10n+2 = 104n-4
n+2 = 4n - 4
6 = 3n
2 = n
Grace B.
10/30/14