SOLUTION: Please help me solve this question. I don't know what operation to do:
{{{ If x^y = 16, where x and y are positive integers and x is less than y, what is the value of x-y ?
Question 415790: Please help me solve this question. I don't know what operation to do: If x^y = 16, where x and y are positive integers and x is less than y, what is the value of x-y ? Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, htmentor:Answer by ewatrrr(24785) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi
x^y = 16
for example: 2^4 = 16 | x and y are positive integers and x < y
x-y = 2 - 4 = -2
Answer by htmentor(1343) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website! If , there are only a few possible solutions for x and y.
16^1 = 16, but the problem states that x < y.
4^2 = 16, but again x < y.
So the only possibility is 2^4 = 16, so x=2, y=4 -> x-y = 2-4 = -2.