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Exponents Problem from GMAT Prep

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Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Sun May 01, 2011 1:09 pm
If 2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3(2^13), what is the value of x?
a) 9
b) 11
c) 13
d) 15
e) 17
We can 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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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sun May 01, 2011 2:01 pm
glasshalffull wrote:2^x - 2^(x-2) = 3(2^13)

What is x?
Alternatively, we can factor the left-hand side (as Mitch did) to get:
2^(x-2)[2^2 - 1] = 3(2^13)
2^(x-2)[4 - 1] = 3(2^13)
2^(x-2)[3] = 3(2^13)
Divide both sides by 3 to get
2^(x-2) = (2^13)
This means that x-2 = 13
So, x=15
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