document.write( "Question 919202: If 3^a-b= 27 and 3^a+b=243 what is the value of a? I have the answer a-b=3 and a+b=5 and if you add the equations together 2a=8 so a =4 but don't understand why. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #557546 by richard1234(7193)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! a-b = 3 because 3^3 = 27, and the exponential function is 1-to-1.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Similarly a+b = 5 since 3^5 = 243.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Once you have a-b = 3, a+b = 5, you can solve for a and b. \n" ); document.write( " |