Answer:
a) x = 3
b) x = 4
Step-by-step explanation:
Use the Exponential Power Rule.
[tex]a^x \times a^y = a^{x+y}[/tex]
Also covert the term on the right to the same base as on the left.
If you are allowed to have calculator do [tex]\log_{\text{base}} (\text{number})[/tex] to get the exponent. For example [tex]\log_{2} (256) = 8[/tex], that means [tex]256 = 2^8.[/tex]
Without calculator you can divide with base untill you have it fully factored, then count. For example:
256/2 = 128
128/2 = 64
64/2 = 32
32/2 = 16
16/2 = 8
8/2 = 4
4/2 = 2
2/2 = 1
We had to divide with base two 8 times so 256 = 2⁸.
a)
[tex]2^5 \cdot 2^x = 256\\2^{5+x} = 2^8[/tex]
Now that we have same base we can equate the exponents!
[tex]5 + x = 8\\x = 8 - 5\\x = 3[/tex]
b)
[tex](\frac{1}{3})^2 \cdot (\frac{1}{3})^x = \frac{1}{729}\\\\(\frac{1}{3})^{2+x} = \frac{1}{3^6}\\\\(\frac{1}{3})^{2+x} = (\frac{1}{3})^6[/tex]
[tex]2 + x = 6\\x = 6 - 2\\x = 4[/tex]
