What exponent would make the two expressions equivalent: (16^x)^6 =( 16^18)

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1 answer

To solve the equation \((16^x)^6 = 16^{18}\), we can use the properties of exponents.

First, apply the power of a power property, which states that \((a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n}\):

\[ (16^x)^6 = 16^{x \cdot 6} = 16^{6x} \]

Now, we can rewrite the equation as:

\[ 16^{6x} = 16^{18} \]

Since the bases are the same (both are \(16\)), we can equate the exponents:

\[ 6x = 18 \]

Next, solve for \(x\) by dividing both sides by \(6\):

\[ x = \frac{18}{6} = 3 \]

Thus, the exponent \(x\) that makes the two expressions equivalent is:

\[ \boxed{3} \]