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3^x+2=8^x-1 Solve for x.

1 Answer

3 votes

I assume the equation is supposed to be


3^(x+2)=8^(x-1)

Then we can write


9\cdot3^x=\frac18\cdot8^x\implies\left(\frac38\right)^x=\frac1{72}

Take the logarithm of base 3/8 on both sides:


\log_(3/8)\left(\frac38\right)^x=\log_(3/8)\frac1{72}


\implies x\log_(3/8)\frac38=-\log_(3/8)72


\implies x=-\log_(3/8)72

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If the equation is actually
3^x+2=8^x-1, I'm afraid it cannot be solved exactly.

User Harke
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