GMAT Prep Q : Exp 2

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by anshumishra » Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:14 pm
santoshs wrote:1)2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3(2^(13)), what is x?

a.9
b.11
c.13
d.15
e.17

Ans :

2^(2x) - 2^x = 3(2^15)

=> 2x - x = 15
=> x = 15

am i doing it right ?

OA : 15[/spoiler]
2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3(2^(13))
=>2^x - 2^(x-2) = (2^2-1)*2^13 = 2^15 - 2^13
=> 2^x - 2^(x-2) = 2^15 - 2^(15-2)

Hence , x=15.
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Anshu

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by anshumishra » Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:18 pm
santoshs wrote:1)2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3(2^(13)), what is x?

a.9
b.11
c.13
d.15
e.17

Ans :

2^(2x) - 2^x = 3(2^15)

=> 2x - x = 15
=> x = 15

am i doing it right ?

OA : 15[/spoiler]
You are not doing it right. How did you get
2^(2x) - 2^x = 3(2^15)

And then , how did you reduced it to -
2x - x = 15
Thanks
Anshu

(Every mistake is a lesson learned )

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by Anurag@Gurome » Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:19 pm
santoshs wrote:1)2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3(2^(13)), what is x?

a.9
b.11
c.13
d.15
e.17
2^x - (2^x).(2^(-2) = 3 * 2^13
(2^x)[1 - 1/4] = 3 * 2^13
(2^x)[3/4] = 3 * 2^13
(2^x)*3*(1/2^2) = 3 * 2^13
2^(x-2) * 3 = (2^13) * 3
2^(x-2) = (2^13)
Bases are the same, so exponents will also be the same no both sides.
Hence, x - 2 = 13
x = 15

[spoiler]The correct answer is d.[/spoiler]
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by Tani » Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:20 pm
2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3 (2^13)

factor out (2^x)

(2^x)* (1- 2^(-2))

1- 2^(-2) = 1- 1/4 = 3/4

but 3/4 = 3 * 2^(-2)

(2^x) * (3)* (2^(-2)) = 2^(x-2)*3 which equals 3*(2^13)

therefore x-2 = 13 and x = 15
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by GMATGuruNY » Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:19 am
santoshs wrote:1)2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3(2^(13)), what is x?

a.9
b.11
c.13
d.15
e.17

OA : 15

Another approach: plug in the answer choices for x.

Answer choice C: x= 13
2^13 - 2^(13-2) = 3(2^13)
2^13 - 2^11 = 3(2^13)
2^11(2^2 - 1) = 3(2^13)
2^11(3) = 3(2^13)

Plugging in x=13 made the exponent on the left 2^11.
To match 2^13 on the right side of the equation, the exponent needs to be increased by 2.
Thus, x = 13+2 = 15.

The correct answer is D.
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