40.7k views
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

_____

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
by
7.2k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.