# Math Help - Easy exponential equation but don't know how to solve properly.

1. ## Easy exponential equation but don't know how to solve properly.

Hi,

I have this simple exponential equation:

3^(x+2) + 3^(x-2) = 246

It is easy to see that the sum must be 243 + 3 = 3^5 + 3^1 and therefore x = 3.
But I haven't been able to solve it in the conventional way, using logarithms or some other method. Do you have any ideas to offer? Many thanks.

2. ## Re: Easy exponential equation but don't know how to solve properly.

Originally Posted by freighter
Hi,

I have this simple exponential equation:

3^(x+2) + 3^(x-2) = 246

It is easy to see that the sum must be 243 + 3 = 3^5 + 3^1 and therefore x = 3.
But I haven't been able to solve it in the conventional way, using logarithms or some other method. Do you have any ideas to offer? Many thanks.
$9\cdot 3^x+\frac{1}{9} \cdot 3^x=246$

$(9+\frac{1}{9})\cdot 3^x=246$

$\frac{82}{9} \cdot 3^x=246$

$3^x=27$

$3^x=3^3$

$x=3$

3. ## Re: Easy exponential equation but don't know how to solve properly.

$3^{x+2}+3^{x-2}=3^{x-2}(3^4+1)=3^{x-2}\cdot82=246$.

4. ## Re: Easy exponential equation but don't know how to solve properly.

Thanks, it's clear for me now