SOLUTION: I understand that when you are trying to solve for x when it is an exponent, you want to get the same base; however, I don't understand these two questions as I cannot seem to get

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: I understand that when you are trying to solve for x when it is an exponent, you want to get the same base; however, I don't understand these two questions as I cannot seem to get       Log On


   

Question 731006: I understand that when you are trying to solve for x when it is an exponent, you want to get the same base; however, I don't understand these two questions as I cannot seem to get the same base.. Thank you!
1. 2^-2x = 15
2. 5(10^x) = 180
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Number 1 question is ambiguous.

Number 2 question may be solved this way:
10%5Ex=180%2F5
10%5Ex=36
log%2810%2C%2810%5Ex%29%29=log%2810%2C36%29
x%2Alog%2810%2C10%29=log%2810%2C36%29
x%2A1=log%2810%2C36%29
highlight%28x=log%2810%2C36%29%29, and you can find this on a calculator or in table of common logarithms.

If you wanted, you can take the log of 36 this way:
log%2810%2C+36%29=log%2810%2C%286%5E2%29%29
=2%2Alog%2810%2C6%29
and again, you can find log of 6 by table of logs or calculator and perform your arithmetic.