If x^(1-x) = 4, what is the value of

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1449
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:16 pm
Thanked: 59 times
Followed by:33 members

If x^(1-x) = 4, what is the value of

by fskilnik@GMATH » Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:51 am
fskilnik@GMATH wrote:Image
$${x^{1 - x}} = 4\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,{x^{ - \left( {1 - x} \right)}} = {4^{ - 1}}\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,{x^{x - 1}} = {1 \over 4}\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\left( * \right)$$
$$?\,\, = \,\,{x^{{x^x}\,\, - \,\,{{{x^x}} \over x}}}\,\, = \,\,{x^A}\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\left( {A = {x^x}\,\, - \,\,{{{x^x}} \over x}} \right)$$

$$A\,\, = \,\,{x^x} - {x^{x - 1}}\,\, = \,\,{x^{x - 1}}\left( {x - 1} \right)\,\,\mathop = \limits^{\left( * \right)} \,\,{{x - 1} \over 4}$$
$$?\,\, = \,\,{x^{{{x - 1} \over 4}}}\,\, = \,\,\root 4 \of {{x^{x - 1}}} \,\,\mathop = \limits^{\left( * \right)} \,\,\root 4 \of {{1 \over 4}} \,\, = \,\,\root {2 \cdot 2} \of {{{\left( {{1 \over 2}} \right)}^2}} \,\, = \,\,\sqrt {0.5} $$


The correct answer is (C).

We follow the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.

Regards,
Fabio.
Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
English-speakers :: https://www.gmath.net
Portuguese-speakers :: https://www.gmath.com.br