Solve for x if 2 raised to the power x equals 32.

1. This is an exponential equation, because the unknown sits in the exponent. 2. The method is to write both sides as a single term with the same base. 3. The left side already uses base 2. 4. Write 32 as a power of 2 by doubling: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. 5. That is five doublings, so 32 equals 2 raised to the power 5. 6. With the same base on both sides, the exponents can be equated, giving x equal to 5. 7. Answering 16 confuses the value of 32 divided by 2 with the exponent itself. _Source: Siyavula Mathematics Grade 10 (Everything Maths, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 2: Exponents_