Bunuel
If \(8^{x}9^{2y}=81(2^{12y})\), what is the value of x?
(A) 2
(B) 4
(C) 8
(D) 12
(E) 16
Kudos for a correct solution. VERITAS PREP OFFICIAL SOLUTION:In this problem, break down the larger numbers to find common bases for the exponents. \(8^{x}\) can be written as \((2^{3})^{x}\) and 81 can be written as \(9^{2}\), yielding \((2^{3})^{x} * 9^{2y} = 9^{2}(2^{12y})\). Because we now have common bases for the 9s, we can ignore \((2^3)^x\) and \(2^{12y}\) because 2 to any power does not share any factors with 9 to any power (since 9 = 3 x 3). Therefore, we can determine that 2y = 2, and that y = 1.
Plugging in for the 2 terms, we then have \((2^{3})^{x} = 2^{12}\).
As an exponential rule, \((2^{3})^{x}\) is equal to \(2^{3x}\), so we can again set the exponents with same bases equal to find that \(3x = 12\), and that \(x = 4\).
Answer: B.