Solve 8(4^x ) – 9(2^x ) + 1 = 0

At first this equation seems tricky, but we can perform a clever substitution to simplify it. We notice that if let y = 2^x, then we can rewrite this as:

8(y^2) - 9y + 1 = 0

This now becomes a simple quadratic equation, which can be simplified to: (8y -1) (y-1) = 0

Therefore y = 1/8; y =1. Now solving for x: 2^x = 1/8 leads to x = -3; 2^x = 1 leads to x = 0;

DS
Answered by Daljit S. Maths tutor

8784 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Prove that √2 is irrational


How would you go about integrating a function which has an exponential and a cos/sin term?


Find the tangent to the curve y=x^3+3 at the point x=1.


Integrate f(x): f(x) = (3x +2) / (x^2 - 5x +6)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning