For how many integers n is 2^n = n^2 ?

For how many integers n is 2^n = n^2 ?
A. None
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
E. More than Three

\(2^n= n^2\) is true for 2 integers:
\(n=2\) --> \(2^2=2^2=4\);
\(n=4\) --> \(4^2=2^4=16\).

Well, \(2^2=2^2=4\) is obvious choices, then after trial and error you'll get \(4^2=2^4=16\) as well. But how do we know that there are no more such numbers? You can notice that when \(n\) is more than 4 then \(2^n\) is always more than \(n^2\) so \(n\) cannot be more than 4. \(n\) cannot be negative either as in this case \(2^n\) won't be an integer whereas \(n^2\) will be.

Answer: C.

NOTE: I think it's worth remembering that \(4^2=16=2^4\), I've seen several GMAT questions on number properties using this (another useful property \(8^2=4^3=2^6=64\)).

Hope it helps.