How do you solve 8^x=4?

1 Answer
Jan 17, 2017

8^x=4 <=> x=2/3

Explanation:

8^x=4

Since 4=(2)(2)=2^2

we can say that

8=4(2)=(2)(2)(2)=2(2^2)=2^(2+1)=2^3

So by changing notation we get

<=> (2^3)^x=2^2

and since (x^a)^b=x^(ab), we can say

<=> 2^(3x)=2^2

Then we take the ln_2(x) of both sides

<=> ln_2(2^(3x))=ln_2(2^2)

This gives us

<=> 3x=2

Then we divide both sides by 3 to isolate x

<=>x=2/3

and we have our answer