Solve for x: 2^x = 16. What is x?

Solve for x: 2^x = 16. What is x?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 8
• D. 16

Answer: (B)

Recognize that both sides share the same base, 2. Since 16 can be written as 2^4, the equation becomes 2^x = 2^4. When bases match and are not 0 or 1, the exponents must be equal, so x = 4. You can verify: 2^4 = 16. Other exponents produce different values, so they don’t solve the equation.

Recognize that both sides share the same base, 2. Since 16 can be written as 2^4, the equation becomes 2^x = 2^4. When bases match and are not 0 or 1, the exponents must be equal, so x = 4. You can verify: 2^4 = 16. Other exponents produce different values, so they don’t solve the equation.