INDICES

• Oct 28th 2008, 12:16 PM
abey_27
INDICES
what is 32^x = 2 ?

what is x? thanks
• Oct 28th 2008, 12:19 PM
earboth
Quote:

Originally Posted by abey_27
what is 32^x = 2 ?

what is x? thanks

Re-write the equation:

$32^x=2~\implies~(2^5)^x=2^1$

Now solve for x.
• Oct 28th 2008, 12:28 PM
abey_27
cheers earboth but i still dont really understand how to find x. i understand what you have done but there onwards not too sure. could you please tell me how to progress from your last comment. thank you

Quote:

Originally Posted by earboth
Re-write the equation:

$32^x=2~\implies~(2^5)^x=2^1$

Now solve for x.

• Oct 28th 2008, 12:30 PM
earboth
Quote:

Originally Posted by abey_27
cheers earboth but i still dont really understand how to find x. i understand what you have done but there onwards not too sure. could you please tell me how to progress from your last comment. thank you

Since the bases of the 2 expressions are equal the exponents must be equal too:

$
32^x=2~\implies~(2^5)^x=2^1~\implies~2^{5x} = 2^1~\implies~ 5x=1~\implies~x=\dfrac15
$
• Oct 28th 2008, 12:33 PM
thegarden
You then equate the indices,
so 5x=1
so x=1/5
• Oct 28th 2008, 12:34 PM
thegarden
lol earboth got there before me
• Oct 28th 2008, 12:34 PM
abey_27
lol cheers man