16Hit1600
Advanced MathMediumExponential equation with a product of powers

Advanced Math practice question

If 5^x · 5^(x + 1) = 5^9, what is the value of x?

Answer: 4

Add the exponents: 5^(2x + 1) = 5^9, so 2x + 1 = 9 and x = 4.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 5
5 comes from 2x = 9 + 1, adding the 1 instead of subtracting it.
If you answered 8
8 is 2x, the value before dividing by 2.
If you answered 9
9 is the exponent on the right side, not x.

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