2021 JMPSC Sprint Problems/Problem 12

Revision as of 08:39, 11 July 2021 by Megarnie (talk | contribs) (Solution)

Problem

The solution to the equation $x \sqrt{x \sqrt{x}}=2^{63}$ can be written as $2^m$, where $m$ is a real number. What is $m$?

Solution

Let $y=\sqrt[4]{x}.$ Then, we have that the expression on the left hand side is equivalent to $y^4\cdot y^2\cdot y=y^7.$ Thus, we have that $y^7=2^{63}.$ Taking the 7th root of both sides gives $y=2^9,$ thus we have $\sqrt[4]{x}=2^9,$ which makes $x=2^{36}.$ Answer is $\boxed{36}.$

~Lamboreghini

Solution 2

Note that $\sqrt{x}=x^{\frac{1}{2}}$. So ${x}\sqrt{x^{\frac{3}{2}}}=2^{63}$. Simplifying gives that $x{\cdot}x^{\frac{3}{4}}=x^{\frac{7}{4}}=2^{63}$. If $x$ is $2^m$, then $\frac{7m}{4}=63$, so $m=\boxed{36}$.