4^2^x + 2^2^x =56
how do we solve this equation ?
Step by step please
+33614 Let y = 2x then we have 4y + 2y = 56. (And x = log2y)
Now 4y → (22)y → (2y)2
Let z = 2y, so now we have z2 + z = 56 or z2 + z - 56 = 0. (And y = log2z)
This factorises as. (z + 8)(z - 7) = 0
Hence: z = 7, y = log27, x = log2(log27)
We can't have logs of negative numbers (as long as we aren't considering complex numbers) so this is the only solution.
+33614 Let y = 2x then we have 4y + 2y = 56. (And x = log2y)
Now 4y → (22)y → (2y)2
Let z = 2y, so now we have z2 + z = 56 or z2 + z - 56 = 0. (And y = log2z)
This factorises as. (z + 8)(z - 7) = 0
Hence: z = 7, y = log27, x = log2(log27)
We can't have logs of negative numbers (as long as we aren't considering complex numbers) so this is the only solution.
+128407
4^(2x) + 2^(2x) = 56
Write as
(2^2)^(2x) + 2^(2x) = 56
(2^(2x))^2 + 2^(2x) = 56 subtract 56 from both sides
(2^(2x))^2 + 2^(2x) - 56 = 0
Let z = 2^(2x) and we have that
z^2 + z - 56 = 0 factor
(z + 8) ( z - 7) = 0
Setting each factor to 0 and solving for z we have that z = -8 or z =7
Since an exponential cannot be negative, z = 7
So.....2^(2x) = 7 take the log of both sides
log 2^(2x) = log 7 and we can write
(2x) * log 2 = log 7 divide both sides by log2
2x = log 7 / [ log 2 ]
Putting this into the original equation we have that
4^(log 7 / log 2 ) + 2^(log 7 / log 2) evaluates to 56
Thank u u gave the right answer thanks very much now I know how this can be solved wish u the best luck in math knowledge
Could u tell me please why Alan solution did not work ? I do not see a problem in it maybe u know where is the mistake :)
+9466 I could be wrong but it looks like Alan interpreted the question this way: 4^(2^x) + 2^(2^x) = 56
And CPhill did this: (4^2)^x + (2^2)^x = 56 
+33614 In Guest #1 #2 calculator he/she put the terms as (42)log2log27 + (22)log2log27 but should have put 4log27 + 2log27 to maintain the same interpretation (noting that 2log2log27 is the same as log27).
Also see GingerAle's post below.
+2440 Actually, they are not interpreted same. Each interpretation gives a different solution for x.
As Hectictar pointed out:
Sir Alan’s interpretation is: 4^(2^x) + 2^(2^x) = 56
And Sir CPhill interpretation is: (4^2)^x + (2^2)^x = 56
Sir Alan’s is interpretation is exactly the same as the asked question. (This follows power-tower convention, where stacked powers are multiplied from right to left or from the top down, and the resultant product becomes the exponent to the base number.)
Sir CPhill’s solution starts with the base then increments the value by each ascending power.
The solutions for these interpretations give different results for the value of x.
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\(\text{For Sir Alan's solution}\\ x = log_2 (log_2(7))\\ x \approx 1.4892114692\\ \text{ }\\ \text{For Sir CPhill’s solution}\\ 2x = \dfrac {log (7) } { log (2)}\\ x= \dfrac {log (7)/ log (2)}{(2)}\\ x\approx 1.4036774610\\ \)
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Sir Alan notes the calculator input error of the questioner; however, the questioner may have correctly entered this into the site calculator
(4^2^log(log(7, 2), 2)) + (2^2^log(log(7 , 2), 2) )
The calculator would interpret it as
(4^2)^(log(log(7, 2), 2)) + (2^2)^log(log(7 , 2), 2))
The site’s calculator does NOT follow hierarchal convention in interpreting stacked powers.
Here is an elaboration on this issue:
Use of parenthesis to, in this case, force proper hierarchal convention
(4^(2^log(log(7, 2), 2)) + (2^(2^log(log(7 , 2), 2)
gives 56 as the result.
Which value of x is correct? Only the asker’s hairdresser knows for sure.
+33614 You are right GingerAle - these multiple exponentiations are making my brain swirl!
