Both sides of an exponential equation have been written as a single term with the same base. What can be done next?
AEquate the two exponents
BAdd the two exponents
CMultiply the two bases
DDivide the two bases
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Equate the two exponents
1. An exponential equation has the unknown variable sitting in the exponent.
2. If a single term with the same base can be written on each side, the exponents can be equated.
3. That turns the exponential equation into an ordinary equation in the unknown.
4. Reducing both bases to prime numbers is the usual way to reach that form.
_Source: Siyavula Mathematics Grade 10 (Everything Maths, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 2: Exponents_