what are the steps to solve 32=2^3x-1

Answer 1

Alexandra, this is a good example of the extreme importance of use of parentheses to make a formula unambiguous.

Mark asked the question (although changed minus to plus accidentally, changing the problem).

I presume that the problem you tried to transcribe was really

32 = 2^3x-1

If you don’t have a superscript font as we do here, then you needed to type the problem as

32 = 2^(3x-1)

With this problem, follow Mark’s procedure and you’ll get a satisfyingly simple answer.

No matter where you are working with math, make sure to use parentheses to clarify the operations involved.

Answer 2

First, apply PEMDAS to both sides of of the equation:

32=8x-1

Next, add and/or subtract the same terms to both sides of the equation until there is a constant on one side and a variable term on the other:

33=8x

Then, divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of the variable term.

x=33/8

Answer 3

32=2^3x-1

Is it 32 = 2^{(3x + 1) ?}

^OR:

32 = 2^3x + 1 ?

Here are the steps for the 2nd one:

Combine constants and put in standard form:

2^3x = 31

Take the log of each side:

3x * log(2) = log(31)

x = log(31) / 3log(2)

If it is supposed to be the other version, the procedure is similae