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1 vote
X = 10

x = 2

x = two divided by five.

x = 11

X = 10 x = 2 x = two divided by five. x = 11-example-1

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

x = 10

Explanation:

You can try the answers to see which works. (The first one does.)

Or, you can solve for the variable:

Divide by 75

... (1/5)^(x/5) = 3/75 = 1/25

Recognize that 25 = 5^2, so ...

... (1/5)^(x/5) = (1/5)^2

Equating exponents, you have

... x/5 = 2

... x = 10 . . . . . multiply by 5

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You can also start by taking logarithms:

... log(75) +(x/5)log(1/5) = log(3)

... (x/5)log(1/5) = log(3) -log(75) = log(3/75) = log(1/25) . . . . simplify the log

... x/5 = log(1/25)/log(1/5) = 2 . . . . . simplify (or evaluate) the log expression

... x = 10 . . . . . multiply by 5

_____

"Equating exponents" is essentially the same as taking logarithms.

User Ross Brasseaux
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