You can put this solution on YOUR website! Find x, when 132 base x, = 72
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132 base 16 (hexadecimal) = 2 + 48 + 256 = 306 so it's less than 16
132 base 8 = 2 + 24 + 64 = 90
132 base 7 = 2 + 21 + 49 = 72
----> base 7
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If there's a method other than trial & error, I'm not aware of it.
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OK, I figured it out.
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1*x^2 + 3x + 2 = 72
x^2 + 3x - 70 = 0
(x + 10)*(x - 7) = 0
---> x = 7
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For base -10:
2 + (-30) + 100 = 72 decimal
Very strange to use a negative base
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And I agree that it's poorly stated