2003 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 9

Problem

Find the value of $x$ that satisfies the equation $25^{-2} = \frac{5^{48/x}}{5^{26/x} \cdot 25^{17/x}}.$

$\textbf{(A) } 2 \qquad\textbf{(B) } 3 \qquad\textbf{(C) } 5 \qquad\textbf{(D) } 6 \qquad\textbf{(E) } 9$

Solution

Manipulate the powers of $5$ in order to get a clean expression.

\[\frac{5^{\frac{48}{x}}}{5^{\frac{26}{x}} \cdot 25^{\frac{17}{x}}} = \frac{5^{\frac{48}{x}}}{5^{\frac{26}{x}} \cdot 5^{\frac{34}{x}}} = 5^{\frac{48}{x}-(\frac{26}{x}+\frac{34}{x})} = 5^{-\frac{12}{x}}\] \[25^{-2} = (5^2)^{-2} = 5^{-4}\] \[5^{-4} = 5^{-\frac{12}{x}}\]

If two numbers are equal, and their bases are equal, then their exponents are equal as well. Set the two exponents equal to each other.

\begin{align*}-4&=\frac{-12}{x}\\ -4x&=-12\\ x&=\boxed{\textbf{(B) \ } 3}\end{align*}

See Also

2003 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 8
Followed by
Problem 10
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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