CHAPTER

INDICES
9
9.1 Solving Exponential Equations

PRACTICE 9.1
Read / Understand / Think / Do
Keeping Skill Sharp
1. (a) What is an exponential equation? (b) If ax = ay, express x in term of y.
(c) If xp = ap, what is the value of x ? (d) If 2x = 4, what is the value of x ?
(e) If 34 = x4, what is the value of x ? (f) If 4xx = 16, the value of x is ....... .
Solution:
(a) An exponential equation is a mathematical equation in which one or more variables appear a
exponents. The general form of an exponential equation is y = ax, where 'y' is dependent variable
on the independent variable 'x' and 'a' is a constant.
(b) x = y
(c) x = a
(d) 2x = 22 ⇒ x = 2
(e) x = 3
(f) 4xx = 16 ⇒ xx = 4 ⇒ xx = 22 ∴ x = 2
2. Circle () the correct answer.
(a) Which is false ?
(i) If ap = aq, then a = p. (ii) If ap = aq, then p = q.
(iii) If ap = bp, then a = b. (iv) If aa = bb, then a = b.
6 3p
(b) If x = x , which is the value of p ?
(i) 2 (ii) 3 (iii) 6 (iv) 4
2x + 1 5
(c) If 4 = 4 , which is the value of p ?
(i) 5 (ii) 2 (iii) 3 (iv) 6
(d) If 62x + 3 = (x + 1)2x + 3, which is the value of p ?
(i) 5 (ii) 0 (iii) 6 (iv) 3
(e) If 3x – 81 = 0, then x = .......... .
(i) 1 (ii) 2 (iii) 3 (iv) 4
Solution:
(a) (i) (b) (i) (c) (ii) (d) (i) (e) (iv)
Check Your Performance
3. Solve and verify your solution:
1 = 0.125
x
(a) 22y + 1 = 8 (b) 95x – 2 = 34 (c)
2
1
 1 = 1
2+x x–1
(d) 16–x = 2 (e) 312 = 812x + 3 (f)
4 8
 1  = 81x + 1
1 x – 2
(g) 3x + 1 = 81 (h) 4x = (i)
256 27
Solution:
Checking,
(a) 22y + 1 = 8
22y + 1 = 8
∴ 22y + 1 = 23 or, 2 2 × 1 + 1 = 8
or, 2y + 1 = 3 or, 23 = 8
or, y = 1 or 8 = 8, whic is true.
(b) 95x – 2 = 34
or, 32(5x – 2) = 34
Checking,
or, 310x – 4 = 34
95x – 2 = 34
∴ 10x – 4 = 4 4
5× -2
or, 10x = 8 or, 9 5 = 81
8 or, 2
9 = 81
or, x = 10
or, 81 = 81, whic is true.
4
or, x = 5
Checking,
1 x
(c) 2 = 0.125
x
1 = 0.125
  2
or, (0.5)x = (0.5)3 or, 0.53= 0.125
∴ x=3 or, 0.125 = 0.125, True
(d) 16– x = 2 Checking,
or, (24) – x = 2 16 – x = 2
16  4= 2
or, 2 – 4x = 21 − −
1
or,
∴ – 4x = 1
24 × 4 = 2
1
1
or, x = − 4 or,

(e) 312 = 812x + 3 or, 2 = 2, True

or, 312 = (34)2x + 3 Checking,
or, 312 = 38x + 12 312 = 812x + 3
∴ 12 = 8x + 12 or, 312 = 81 2× 0 + 3
or, x = 0 or 312 = (34)3
1 2 + x 1x – 1 or, 312 = 312, True
(f) 4 = 8
    Checking,
1 2 2+x 13x-1
or, 2 
2+x 1 x-1
= 2 1 = 8
      4  
4+2x 1 3x-3
or 2 = 2 1 2+7 17-1
1
    or, 4 = 8
   
∴ 4 + 2x = 3x – 3 9 1 3 6
or, 2  = 2 
1 2
or, 4 + 3 = 3x – 2x      
or, x=7
1 18 1 18
or, 2 = 2 , True
   
2
 (g) 3x + 1 = 81 Checking,
or, 3x + 1 = 34 3x + 1 = 81
∴ x+1=4 or, 33 + 1 = 81
or, x = 3 or, 34 = 81
1 or, 81 = 81, True
(h) 4x = 256 Checking,
1
or, (22)x = 28
1 4x = 256
  1
or, 22x = 2−8 or, (4)−4 = 256
∴ 2x = −8 or,
1 1
44 = 256
or, x = − 4
1 1
(i) 27
1 x–2 or 256 = 256, True
= 81x + 1
  Checking,
or, 33
1 x–2 1 x–2
   = (34)x + 1 ( )
27 = 81x + 1
2
or, 3
1 3x – 6
1 7−2
2
= 34x + 4
  or, ( )
27 = 817+1
or, 3−(3x−6) = 34x + 4 2−14 2+7
∴ − (3x − 6) = 4x + 4  1 3 7
or, − 3x + 6 = 4x + 4
or, ()
 3  = (3 4) 7

−36 36
or, 6 – 4 = 4x + 3x 1
or, 7x = 2
or, ()
3
7 = (3) 7

2 36 36
or, x = 7 or, (3) 7 = (3) 7 , True

4. Solve and verify your solution:

4 2x + 3
(a) 2x + 3 + 2x = 25 + 4 (b) 3x + 2 + 3x + 1 = (c) 2x + 2 + =1
3 2
(d) 4x + 3 + 4x + 2 = 1280 (e) 2x + 1 – 2x = 8 (f) 42x = 256 – 16x
Solution:
(a) 2x + 3 + 2x = 25 + 4
Checking,
or, 2x × 23 + 2x = 25 + 4
2x + 3 + 2x = 25 + 4
or, 2x× ( 8 + 1 ) = 32 + 4
or, 22 + 3 + 22 = 25 + 4
or, 2x × 9 = 36
or, 25 + 4 = 25 + 4
or, 2x = 4
or, 36 = 36, True
or, 2x = 22
∴ x=2 Checking,
4
4 3x + 2 + 3x + 1 = 3
(b) 3x + 2 + 3x + 1 = 3
4
4 or 3–2+2 + 3–2+1 = 3
or, 3x × 32 + 3x × 31 = 3
4
or, 30 + 3 – 1 = 3
4
or, 3x × (9 + 3) = 3 1 4
or, 1 + 3= 3
4
or, 3x × 12 = 3 4 4
or, 3 = 3 , True

3
 1
or, 3x = 9
or, 3x = 3− 2
∴ x=−2 Checking,
x+2
2x+3 2x+3
(c) 2 + 2 =1 2x + 2 + 2 = 1
or, 2x + 2 + 2x + 3 – 1 = 1 2-3+3
or, 2x + 2 + 2x + 2 = 1 or, 2 – 3 + 2 + 2 = 1
or, 2×2x×22 = 1 0
–1
2
1 or, 2 + 2 = 1
or, 2x = 8
1 1
or, 2x = 2 – 3 or, 2 = 2 , True
∴ x=−3
(d) 4x + 3 + 4x + 2 = 1280 Checking,
or, 4x × 43 + 4x × 42 = 1280 4x + 3 + 4x + 2 = 1280
or, 4x × (64 + 16) = 1280 or, 42 + 3 + 42 + 2 = 1280
x
or, 4 × 80 = 1280 or, 45 + 44 = 1280
or, 4x = 16 or, 1024 + 256 = 1280
or, 4 = 4x 2 or, 1280 = 1280, True
∴ x=2
(e) 2 x + 1 – 2x = 8 Checking,
x 1
or, 2 × 2 – 2 = 8 x 2x + 1 – 2x = 8
or, 2x × (2 – 1) = 8 or, 23 + 1 – 23 = 8
or, 2x × 1 = 8 or, 24 – 23 = 8
or, 2x = 23 or, 16 – 8 = 8
or, 8 = 8, True
∴ x=3
(f) 42x = 256 – 16x Checking,
42x = 256 – 16x
or, (22)2x = 28 – (24)x
7 7
or, 24x + 24x = 28 2×4
or, 4 = 256 – 164
or, 2 × 24x = 28 7 7
or, 24x + 1 = 28 or, (22) 4= 256 – (24) 4
∴ 4x + 1 = 8 or, 27 = 256 – 27
7 or, 128 = 256 – 12
or, x = 4 or, 128 = 128, True
5. (a) If a = bc, b = ca and c = ab then prove that: abc = 1.
(b) If a = 10x, b = 10y and aybx = 100 then prove that xy = 1.
If xy = yx, prove that :   = xx – y.
x x
(c)
y
(d) If ax = by and bx = ay, prove that a = b.
Solution:
(a) Here a = bc , b = ca and c = ab
To prove: abc = 1
Now, a = bc

4
 or, a = (ca)c [∵ b = ca]
or, a = cac
or, a = (ab)ac [∵ c = ab]
or, a1 = aabc
or, abc = 1. Proved.
(b) Here, a = 10x , b = 10y and aybx = 100
To prove: xy = 1
We have, aybx = 100
or, (10x)y (10y)x= 100 [∵ a = 10x , b = 10y]
or, 10xy × 10xy = 100
or, (10×10)xy = 100
or, 100xy = 1001
∴ xy = 1. Proved.
(c) Here, xy = yx
x x
To prove: y = xx–y
 
x x xx xx
Now, y = x = y [∵ xy = yx ]
  y x
= xx – y, proved
x y
(d) Here, a = b ................ (i) bx = ay ................... (ii)
To prove: a = b
Now, multiplying (i) and (ii)
or, ax × ay = by × bx
or, ax + y = bx + y
or, a = b. Proved.
6. Solve and verify your solution:
(a) 22x + 7. 2x – 8 = 0 (b) 22x + 1 + 6 . 2x – 8 = 0
x+1 x
(c) 4.3 – 9 = 27 (d) 5.4y + 1 – 16y = 64
1
(e) 9x + 9 = 10.3x (f) 2x + 3 + x = 9
2
343 1 1
(g) 7x + x – 56 = 0 (h) 2x + x = 4
7 2 4
1 1
(i) 3y + 3–y = 9 (j) 5a + 5–a = 25
9 25
1 1
(k) 7x + x = 7 (l) 16p + 64 = 5.4p + 1
7 7
Solution:
(a) Here, 22x + 7. 2x – 8 = 0
or, (2x)2 + 7.2x – 8 = 0
Let, 2x = a, we get,
a2 + 7a – 8 = 0
or, a2 + (8−1)a – 8 = 0
or, a2 + 8a – a – 8 = 0

5
 Checking for x = 0,
or, a(a + 8) – 1(a + 8) = 0
22x + 7. 2x – 8 = 0
or, (a + 8)(a – 1) = 0
or, 22×0 + 7. 20 – 8 = 0
Either, a + 8 = 0 ⇒ a = – 8
or, 1 + 7 – 8 = 0
⇒ 2x = – 8, Rejected
or, 0 = 0, True.
Or, a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 1 ⇒ 2x = 20
⇒ x=0
(b) 22x + 1 + 6. 2x – 8 = 0
or, 22x × 21 + 6×2x – 8 = 0
or, 2×(2x)2 + 6×2x – 8 = 0
Checking for x = 0,
or, (2x)2 + 3×2x – 4 = 0
22x + 1 + 6. 2x – 8 = 0
or, (2x)2 + (4 – 1)×2x – 4 = 0
or, 22×0 + 1 + 6. 20 – 8 = 0
or, (2x)2 + 4×2x – 1×2x – 4 = 0
or, 21 + 6×1 – 8 = 0
or, 2x(2x + 4) – 1(2x + 4) = 0
or, 2 + 6 – 8 = 0
or, (2x + 4) (2x – 1) = 0
or, 0 = 0, True
Either, 2x + 4 = 0 ⇒ 2x = – 4, Rejected
Or, 2x – 1 = 0 ⇒ 2x = 1 ⇒ 2x = 20 ⇒ x = 0
(c) 4.3x + 1 – 9x = 27
or, 4×3x×31 – (32)x = 27 Checking for x = 2,
x 2 x
or, (3 ) – 12 × 3 + 27 = 0 4.3x + 1 – 9x = 27
Let, 3x = a we get, or, 4.32 + 1 – 92 = 27
a2 – 12a + 27 = 0 or, 4×27 – 81= 27
2
or, a –(9 + 3)a + 27 =0 or, 108 – 81 = 27
or, a2 – 9a – 3a + 27 = 0 or, 27 = 27, True
or, a(a – 9) – 3(a – 9) = 0 Checking for x = 1,
or, (a – 9)(a – 3) = 0 4.3x + 1 – 9x = 27
Either, a – 9 = 0 ⇒ a = 9 or, 4.31 + 1 – 91 = 27
or, 4×9 – 9 = 27
⇒ 3x = 32 ⇒ x = 2
or, 36 – 9 = 27
Or, a – 3 = 0 ⇒ a = 3
or, 27 = 27, True
⇒ 3x = 3 1 ⇒ x = 1
(d) 5.4y + 1 – 16y = 64
or, 5×4y×41 – (42)y = 64 Checking for y = 2,
or, (4y)2 – 20 × 4y + 64 = 0 5.4y + 1 – 16y = 64
y
Let, 4 = a we get, or, 5.42 + 1 – 162 = 64
2
a – 20a + 64 = 0 or, 5×64 – 256 = 64
or, a2 – (16 + 4)a + 64 =0 or, 320 – 256 = 64
or, a2 – 16a – 4a + 64 = 0 or, 64 = 64, True.
or, a(a – 16) – 4(a – 16) = 0 Checking for y = 1,
or, (a – 16)(a – 4) = 0 5.4y + 1 – 16y = 64
Either, (a – 16) = 0 ⇒ a = 16 or, 5.41 + 1 – 161 = 64
⇒ 4 y = 42 ⇒ y = 2 or, 5×16 – 16 = 64
Or, a – 4 = 0 ⇒ a = 4 or, 80 – 16 = 64
⇒ 4 =4 ⇒y=1
y 1 or, 64 = 64, True.

6
(e) 9x + 9 = 10.3x Checking for y = 2,
or, (32)x + 9 = 10×3x 9x + 9 = 10.3x
or, (3x)2 – 10 × 3x + 9 = 0 or, 92 + 9 = 10 × 32
Let, 3x = a we get, or, 81 + 9 = 10 × 9
a2 – 10a + 9 = 0 or, 90 = 90, True
or, a2 – (9 + 1)a + 9 =0 Checking for y = 0,
or, a2 – 9a – 1a + 9 = 0 9x + 9 = 10.3x
or, a(a – 9) – 1(a – 9) = 0 or, 90 + 9 = 10 × 30
or, (a – 9)(a – 1) = 0 or, 1 + 9 = 10 × 1
Either, a – 9 = 0 ⇒ a = 9 or, 10 = 10, True
⇒ 3x = 32 ⇒ x = 2
Or, a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 1
⇒ 3x = 3 0 ⇒ x = 0
1
(f) 2x + 3 + 2x = 9
1 Checking for x = 0,
or, 2x × 23 + 2x = 9
1
let 2x = a, we get, 2x + 3 + 2x = 9
1 1
8a + a = 9 or, 20 + 3 + 20 = 9
or 8a2 + 1 = 9a or, 8 + 1 = 9
or 8a2 – 9a + 1 = 0 or, 9 = 9, True
or, 8a2 – (8 + 1)a + 1 =0 Checking for x = – 3,
or, 8a2 – 8a – 1a + 1 = 0 1
or, 8a(a – 1) – 1(a – 1) = 0 2x + 3 + 2x = 9
or, (a – 1)(8a – 1) = 0 1
Either, a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 1 or, 2 – 3 + 3 + 2– 3 = 9
⇒ 2x = 20 ⇒ x = 0 or, 20 + 23 = 9
1 or, 1 + 8 = 9
Or, 8a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 8
or, 9 = 9, True
⇒ 2x = 2 – 3 ⇒ x = – 3
343 Checking for x = 2,
(g) 7x + 7x – 56 = 0 343
7x + 7x – 56 = 0
343
or, 7x + 7x = 56 343
or, 72 + 2 = 56
let 7x = a, we get, 7
343 or, 49 + 7 = 56
a + a = 56 or, 56 = 56, True
Checking for x = 1,
or, a2 + 343 = 56a 343
or, a2 – 56a + 343 = 0 7x + 7x – 56 = 0
or, a2 – (49 + 7)a + 343 =0 343
or, a2 – 49a – 7a + 343 = 0 or, 71 + 71 = 56
or, a(a – 49) – 7(a – 49) = 0 or, 7 + 49 = 56
or, 56 = 56, True
7
 or, (a – 49)(a – 7) = 0
Either, a – 49 = 0 ⇒ a = 49
⇒ 7x = 7 2 ⇒ x=2
Or, a – 7 = 0 ⇒ a = 7
⇒ 7 x = 71 ⇒ x=1
1 1
(h) 2x + x = 44
2 Checking for x = 2,
1 17 1 1
or, 2x + x = 4 2x + 2x = 44
2
1 1
let 2x = a, we get, or, 22 + 22 = 44
1 17
a+a = 4 1 1
or, 4 + 4 = 44
or, 4a2 + 4 = 17a
17 17
or, 4a2 – 17a + 4 = 0 or, 4 = 4 , True
or, 4a2 – (16 + 1)a + 4 = 0
Checking for x = – 2,
or, 4a2 – 16a – 1a + 4 = 0
1 1
or, 4a(a – 4) – 1(a – 4) = 0 2x + 2x = 44
or, (a – 4)(4a – 1) = 0 1 1
Either, a – 4 = 0 ⇒ a = 4 or, 2 – 2 + 2–2 = 44
⇒ 2x = 22 ⇒ x=2 1 1
1 or, 4 + 4= 44
Or, 4a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 4
17 17
or, 4 = 4 , True
⇒ 2x = 2 – 2 ⇒ x=–2
1
(i) 3x + 3–x = 99 Checking for x = 2,
1 1
1 1 3x + x = 99
or, 3x + x = 99 3
3
1 82 1 1
or, 3x + x = 9 or, 32 + 32 = 99
3
let 3x = a, we get, 1 1
or, 9 + 9 = 99
1 82
a+a = 9 82 82
or, 9 = 9 , True
or, 9a2 + 9 = 82a
or, 9a2 – 82a + 9 = 0 Checking for x = – 2,
or, 9a2 – (81 + 1)a + 9 = 0 1 1
or, 9a2 – 81a – 1a + 9 = 0 3x + 3x = 99
or, 9a(a – 9) – 1(a – 9) = 0 1 1
or, (a – 9)(9a – 1) = 0 or, 3– 2 + 3–2 = 99
Either, a – 9 = 0 ⇒ a = 9
1 1
⇒ 3x = 32 ⇒ x=2 or, 9 + 9 = 99
1
Or, 9a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 9 82 82
or, 9 = 9 , True
⇒ 3x = 3 – 2 ⇒ x=–2

8
 1
(j) 5a + 5–a = 2525 Checking for x = 2,
1 1 1 1
or, 5x + x = 2525 5x + x = 2525
5 5
1 626 1 1
or, 5x + x = 25 or, 52 + 2 = 2525
5 5
let 5x = a, we get, 1 1
or, 25 + 25 = 2525
1 626
a + a = 25 626 626
or, 25 = 25 , True
or, 25a2 + 25 = 626a
or, 25a2 – 626a + 25 = 0 Checking for x = – 2,
or, 25a2 – (625 + 1)a + 25 =0 1 1
5x + x = 2525
or, 25a2 – 625a – 1a + 25 = 0 5
or, 25a(a – 25) – 1(a – 25) = 0 1 1
or, 5 – 2 + -2 = 2525
or, (a – 25)(25a – 1) = 0 5
Either, a – 25 = 0 ⇒ a = 25 1 1
or, 25 + 25= 2525
⇒ 5x = 52 ⇒ x=2
1 626 626
Or, 25a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 25 or, 25 = 25 , True

⇒ 5x = 5– 2 ⇒ x=–2
1 1
(k) 7x + x = 77
7 Checking for x = 1,
1 1 1 1
or, 7x + x = 77 7x + 7x = 77
7
1 50 1 1
or, 7x + x = 7 or, 71 + 71 = 77
7
Let 7x = a, we get, 1 1
or, 7 + 7 = 77
1 50
a+a = 7 50 50
or, 7 = 7 , True
or, 7a2 + 7 = 50a
or, 7a2 – 50a + 7 = 0 Checking for x = – 1,
or, 7a2 – (49 + 1)a + 7 =0 1 1
7x + 7x = 77
or, 7a2 – 49a – 1a + 7 = 0
1 1
or, 7a(a – 7) – 1(a – 7) = 0 or, 7 – 1 + 7–1 = 77
or, (a – 7)(7a – 1) = 0
1 1
Either, a – 7 = 0 ⇒ a = 7 or, 7 + 7= 77
⇒ 7x = 71 ⇒ x=1 50 50
1 or, 7 = 7 , True
Or, 7a – 1 = 0 ⇒ a = 7

⇒ 7x = 7 – 1 ⇒ x=–1
(l) 16 + 9 = 5.4p + 1
p

or, (42)p + 9 = 5×4p×41

9
 Checking for y = 2,
or, (4p)2 – 20×4p + 9 = 0 5.4p + 1 – 16p = 64
p
Let 4 = a we get, or, 5.42 + 1 – 162 = 64
2
a – 20a + 64 = 0 or, 5×64 – 256 = 64
or, a2 – (16 + 4)a + 64 =0 or, 320 – 256 = 64
or, a2 – 16a – 4a + 64 = 0 or, 64 = 64, True
or, a(a – 16) – 4(a – 16) = 0 Checking for p = 1,
or, (a – 16)(a – 4) = 0 5.4p + 1 – 16p = 64
Either, a – 16 = 0 ⇒ a = 16 or, 5.41 + 1 – 161 = 64
⇒ 4 y = 42 ⇒ y=2 or, 5×16 – 16 = 64
Or, a – 4 = 0 ⇒ a = 4 or, 80 – 16 = 64
⇒ 4 =4y 1
⇒ y=1 or, 64 = 64, True
7. (a) If a = x .y, b = x .y and c = x .y then prove that: aq – r.br – p.cp – q = 1.
p q r

(b) If a = xq + r.yp, b = xr + p.yq and c = xp + q.yr then prove that: aq – r.br – p.cp – q = 1.
1 1 2
(c) If 2x = 3y = 12z then prove that: = +
z y x
1 1 1
(d) If ax = by = cz = abc then prove that: + + = 1
x y z
x y z
(e) If x = y2 + z2, y = z2 + x2 and z = x2 + y2 then prove that: + + =1
x+1 y+1 z+1
Solution:
(a) If a = xp .x, b = xq .x and c = xr .x then prove that aq–r.br–p.cp–q = 1.
proof:
Here, a = xp.y, b = xq.y and c = xr.y
To prove: aq–r.br–p.cp–q = 1
Now, aq–r.br–p.cp–q = (xp.y) q–r.( xq.y)r–p.( xr.y) p–q
= xp(q – r).y(q – r). xq(r – p).y(r – p).xr(p – q).y(p – q)
= xpq – rp.yq – r. xqr – pq.yr – p. xrp – qr.yq – r
= xpq – rp + qr – pq + rp – qr.yq – r + r – p + q – r
= x0.y0
= 1.1 = 1. Proved.
(b) If a = xq + r.yp , b = xr + p.yq and c = xp + q.yr then prove that aq–r.br–p.cp–q = 1.
Proof:
Here, a = xq + r.yp , b = xr + p.yq and c = xp + q.yr
To prove: aq–r.br–p.cp–q = 1
Now, aq–r.br–p.cp–q = (xq + r.yp)q–r.( xr + p.yq)r–p.( xp + q.yr)p–q
= (x (q + r) (q–r).yp(q–r)).( x(r + p) (r–p).yq(r–p)).( x(p + q) (p–q).yr(p–q))
2 – r2 2 – p2 2 – q2
= xq . ypq – rp. xr . yqr – pq. xp . yrp – qr
q2 – r2 + r2 – p2 + p2 – q2
=x . ypq – rp + qr – pq + rp – qr
= x0.y0
= 1.1 = 1. Proved.
1 1 2
(c) If 2x = 3y = 12z then prove that: = +
z y x
x y z
Proof: Here, 2 = 3 = 12

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 Now, 12z = (22 × 3)z
or, 12z = 22z × 3z
or, 12z = (12)z/x × 2z × (12)z/y × z
or, 12z = (12)z/x × 2z + z/y × z
∴ z = z2(2/x + /y)
or, 1 = z(2/x + 1/y)
1 1 2
or, z = y + x . Proved.
"Alternatively"
Proof: Here, 2x = 3y = 12z = k (say)
Then, 2 = k1/x, 3 = k1/y, 12 = k1/z
Now, 12 = k1/z
or, 22 × 3 = k1/z
or, k2/x × k1/y = k1/z
or, k2/x + 1/y = k1/z
1 2 1
∴ y + x = z . Proved.
1 1 1
(d) If ax = by = cz = abc, then prove that: + + = 1
x y z
x y z
Proof: Here, a = b = c = abc
Then, a = (abc)1/x
or, b = (abc)1/y
or, c = (abc)1/z
Multipying, we get
abc = (abc) 1/x + 1/y + 1/z
1 1 1
or, x + y + z = 1. Proved.
x y z
(e) If x = y2 + z2, y = z2 + x2 and z = x2 + y2 then prove that: + + =1
x+1 y+1 z+1
Proof: Here, x = y2 + z2, y = z2 + x2 and z = x2 + y2
x y z
LHS = x + 1 + y + 1 + z + 1
x x y y z y
=x+1×x+y+1×y+z+1×y
x2 y2 z2
= x2 + x + y2 + y + z2 + z
x2 y2 z2
= x2 + y2 + z2 + y2 + z2 + x2 + z2 + x2 + y2 [ ⸪ x = y2 + z2, y = z2 + x2, z = x2 + y2]
x2 + y2 + z2
= x2 + y2 + z2
= 1 =RHS. Proved.

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8. (a) Prove that the values of x obtained from the equation 4 × 3x + 1 – 9x = 27 satisfy in the next
equation 32x – 4 × 3x + 1 + 27 = 0.
(b) Prove that the roots of x obtained from the equation 5x × x × 5x – 15625 = 0 satisfy in the
other equation 9x × x × 9x – 531441 = 0.
Solution:
(a) Prove that the values of x obtained from the equation 4 × 3x + 1 – 9x = 27 satisfy in the next equation
32x – 4 × 3x + 1 + 27 = 0.
Proof:
Here, 4 × 3x + 1 – 9x = 27
or, 4×3x×31 – (32)x = 27
Checking for x = 2,
or, (3x)2 – 12 × 3x + 27 = 0
4.3x + 1 – 9x = 27
Let, 3x = a we get,
or, 4.32 + 1 – 92 = 27
a2 – 12a + 27 = 0
or, 4×27 – 81 = 27
or, a2 – (9 + 3)a + 27 =0
or, 108 – 81 = 27
or, a2 – 9a – 3a + 27 = 0
or, 27 = 27, True
or, a(a – 9) – 3(a – 9) = 0
Checking for x = 1,
or, (a – 9)(a – 3) = 0
4.3x + 1 – 9x = 27
Either, (a – 9) = 0 ⇒ a = 9 or, 4.31 + 1 – 91 = 27
⇒ 3x = 32 ⇒ x = 2 or, 4×9 – 9 = 27
or, (a – 3) = 0 ⇒ a = 3 or, 36 – 9 = 27
⇒ 3x = 31 ⇒ x = 1 or, 27 = 27, True.
Hence, x = 1, 2
Checking for x = 2 in the next equation,
32x – 4 × 3x + 1 + 27 = 0
or, 32×2 – 4 × 32 + 1 + 27 = 0
or, 34 – 4 × 33 + 27 = 0
or, 81 –108 + 27 = 0
or, 0 = 0, Satisfied
Checking for x = 1 in the next equation,
32x – 4 × 3x + 1 + 27 = 0
or, 32×1 – 4 × 31 + 1 + 27 = 0
or, 32 – 4 × 32 + 27 = 0
or, 9 – 36 + 27 = 0
or, 0 = 0. Satisfied
8. (b) Prove that the roots of x obtained from the equation 5x×x × 5x – 15625 = 0 satisfy in
the other equation 9x×x × 9x – 531441 = 0.
Proof:
Here, 5x×x × 5x – 15625 = 0
2
or, 5x × 5x = 15625
2
or, 5x + x = 56
or, x2 + x = 6
or, x2 + (3 – 2)x – 6 = 0
or, x2 + 3x – 2x – 6 = 0

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 or, x(x + 3) – 2(x + 3) = 0
or, (x + 3)(x – 2) = 0
Either (x + 3) = 0 ⇒ x = – 3
or, (x – 2) = 0 ⇒ x = 2
Checking for x = 2 in the next equation,
9x×x × 9x – 531441 = 0
or, 92×2 × 92 – 531441 = 0
or, 6561 × 81 – 531441 = 0
or, 531441 – 531441 = 0, which is true.
So x = 2 satisfies the given equation.
Checking for x = – 3 in the next equation,
9x×x × 9x – 531441 = 0
or, 9( – 3)×( – 3)×9 – 3 – 531441 = 0
or, 99 - 3 – 531441 = 0
or, 96 – 531441 = 0
or, 531441 – 531441 = 0
or, 81 – 81 = 0, True.
So, x = – 3 satisfies the given equation.

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