Here is a very simple and straightforward way of doing it:
Solve for x over the real numbers:
4503599627370496 = 16^x
Reverse the equality in 4503599627370496 = 16^x in order to isolate x to the left hand side.
4503599627370496 = 16^x is equivalent to 16^x = 4503599627370496:
16^x = 4503599627370496
Perform the prime factorization of the left hand side.
16^x = 2^(4 x):
2^(4 x) = 4503599627370496
Perform the prime factorization of the right hand side.
4503599627370496 = 2^52:
2^(4 x) = 2^52
Equate exponents.
Equate exponents of 2 on both sides:
4 x = 52
Solve the linear equation.
All equations give x = 13 as the solution:
Answer: |
| x = 13