document.write( "Question 415790: Please help me solve this question. I don't know what operation to do:
\n" ); document.write( "\"Please+help+me+solve+this+question.+I+don%27t+know+what+operation+to+do%3A+%0D%0A\" If x^y = 16, where x and y are positive integers and x is less than y, what is the value of x-y ?
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Algebra.Com's Answer #291426 by htmentor(1343)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If \"x%5Ey+=+16\", there are only a few possible solutions for x and y.
\n" ); document.write( "16^1 = 16, but the problem states that x < y.
\n" ); document.write( "4^2 = 16, but again x < y.
\n" ); document.write( "So the only possibility is 2^4 = 16, so x=2, y=4 -> x-y = 2-4 = -2.
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