How do you solve (\frac { 1} { 81} ) ^ { 6x + 2} = 9^ { 2x ^ { 2} + 12}?

1 Answer
Jan 20, 2018

x=-4 or x=-2

Explanation:

Start by working on the left side:

Since 81=9^2 we know 1/81=1/9^2 and by the rules 1/a=a^-1, we know that 1/9^2 = 9^-2

By the rule (a^b)^c=a^(bc), we know

(9^-2)^(6x+2) =9^(-12x-4).

So our equation now looks like:

9^(-12x-4)=9^(2x^2+12)

If a^b = a^c, then b=c, so:

-12x-4 = 2x^2+12

moving everything to one side and collecting like terms we have:

2x^2+12x+16=0

Dividing thruogh by 2:

x^2+6x+8=0

factoring:

(x+4)(x+2)=0

Solving:

x=-4 or x=-2