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Bunuel
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Bunuel
If x is a positive integer, what is \((\frac{2^x}{2^{(–x)}})^x\) ?

A. 1

B. \(2^{2x^2}\)

C. \(2^{(2x)^2}\)

D. \(4^{2x}\)

E. \(4^{(2x)^2}\)


Put x=2
You will get answer as option B
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I had originally got E) 4^(2x)^2 by working outside of the brackets first but realized that this question has the 2^x and 2^-x in brackets, so must be solved within the brackets first as per BEDMAS rules. I hope this helps in case anyone else also chose E.

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Like many I started by moving the 2^(-x) to the numerator. Which makes the equation (2^x * 2^x)^x. Using exponent rules you add the exponents when you multiply leaving (2^2x)^x. Then using exponent rules you multiply exponents that are to the power of another exponent. Thus 2^(2xx) or simply 2^2x^2. You cannot have the extra bracket as shown in option C because that implies that the 2 is also squared which isn’t the case.

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An easy way to solve this question is by plugging in a positive integer for x.

Plugging in 3 for x gives 2^18. Only option B produces the same result.
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