Question: Solve: 7^x + \dfrac{343}{7^x} = 56


Solution:
Given,

7^x + \dfrac{343}{7^x} = 56

or, \dfrac{7^x × 7^x + 343}{7^x} = 56

or, 7^{x +x} + 343 = 56 × 7^x

or, 7^{2x} + 343 = 56 × 7^x

or, (7^x)^2 + 343 = 56×7^x

[ Assume 7^x as a ]

or, a² + 343 = 56a

or, a² -56a +343 = 0

or, a² -(49+7)a + 343 = 0

or, a² -49a - 7a +343 = 0

or, a(a -49) - 7(a -49) = 0

or, (a -7)(a -49) = 0

Either,

a -7 = 0

or, 7^x = 7^1

\therefore x=1

Or,

a -49 = 0

or, 7^x = 49

or, 7^x = 7^2

\therefore x = 2

Hence, the values of x are 1 or 2.


Related Notes and Solutions:

Here is the website link to the notes of Indices.

#SciPiPupil