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bmwhype2
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negative base 30 Sep 2007, 11:35
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X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?



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KillerSquirrel
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negative base 30 Sep 2007, 11:50
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bmwhype2
X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?
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since -1^5 = -1 and -1^2 = 1 not equal !!

:)
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Juaz
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negative base 30 Sep 2007, 11:51
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bmwhype2
X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?
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In that case, X^5 will be negative.
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bmwhype2
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negative base 30 Sep 2007, 13:21
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KillerSquirrel
bmwhype2
X^2 = X^5 = X^12 means that X is either 0 or 1.

why can't x be negative 1?

since -1^5 = -1 and -1^2 = 1 not equal !!

:)
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thanks killersq. trying to think of an answer from the most technical angle possible.

an exponential expression with an ODD exponent can have a positive or negative base and yields an answer that can be positive or negative.

an exponential expression with an EVEN exponent will "hide" the sign of the base but will always yield a positive answer.

therefore, in our equation, we know that the exponential equation with an even base is positive. in order for the expoential equation with an odd exponent to be equal (same answer and sign) to the one with the even exponent, the exponential equation with an odd exponent must have a base with a sign that makes it positive. therefore, that base must be positive.



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