Solving Exponents Equation for Integer Value

CAT 2019 Slot 1 · QA · Medium · Exponents

If mm and nn are integers such that (2)1934429m8n=3n16m644(\sqrt{2})^{19} \cdot 3^4 \cdot 4^2 \cdot 9^m \cdot 8^n = 3^n \cdot 16^m \cdot \sqrt[4]{64}, then mm is

  1. A.

    -16

  2. B.

    -24

  3. C.

    -12

  4. D.

    -20

Answer

C

Explanation

Rewrite in powers of 2 and 3: LHS: 219/2342432m23n=213.5+3n34+2m2^{19/2} \cdot 3^4 \cdot 2^4 \cdot 3^{2m} \cdot 2^{3n} = 2^{13.5 + 3n} \cdot 3^{4 + 2m}. RHS: 3n24m(26)1/4=3n24m21.5=24m+1.53n3^n \cdot 2^{4m} \cdot (2^6)^{1/4} = 3^n \cdot 2^{4m} \cdot 2^{1.5} = 2^{4m + 1.5} \cdot 3^n.

Equating exponents of 3: 4+2m=n4 + 2m = n

Equating exponents of 2: 13.5+3n=4m+1.5    4m3n=1213.5 + 3n = 4m + 1.5 \implies 4m - 3n = 12.

Substitute n=4+2mn = 4 + 2m into second equation: 4m3(4+2m)=12    2m12=12    2m=24    m=124m - 3(4 + 2m) = 12 \implies -2m - 12 = 12 \implies -2m = 24 \implies m = -12.

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