Solve 2^x = 16

Step by step

The question

Question: solve 2 to the power x = 16.

x is up in the power.

1 Write 16 as a power of 2

16 is 2 times itself, 4 times.

So 16 is 2⁴.

Now both sides are 2 to a power.

2 The powers are equal

Both sides are 2 to a power.

Same base, and they are equal.

So the powers must be equal too.

So x = 4!

3 Check

Let's check: put 4 in place of x.

We get 16, the same as the right side.

So x = 4 is right!

Let's look back.

First: write 16 as a power of 2.

Then: the powers are equal.

Last: check.