If ab ≠0, does a = b?
(1) x^a = x^b
(2) x = x^2
OA E
I need help with statement (1) ? OE: [spoiler]If x^a = x^b, there are two possibilities. The first possibility is that x is any number other than 0 and 1, in which case a = b must be true. The other possibility is that x is either 0 or 1. If x is 0 or 1, then a and b could be anything, because 1 raised to any power is 1, and 0 raised to any power is 0. If x is 0 or 1, we will not be able to tell if a = b.[/spoiler]
(1) x^a = x^b
(2) x = x^2
OA E
I need help with statement (1) ? OE: [spoiler]If x^a = x^b, there are two possibilities. The first possibility is that x is any number other than 0 and 1, in which case a = b must be true. The other possibility is that x is either 0 or 1. If x is 0 or 1, then a and b could be anything, because 1 raised to any power is 1, and 0 raised to any power is 0. If x is 0 or 1, we will not be able to tell if a = b.[/spoiler]
Last edited by heshamelaziry on Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
