How do you solve 6^x + 4^x = 9^x?

1 Answer

x=(ln((1+sqrt(5))/2))/(ln (3/2))

Explanation:

Divide by 4^x to form a quadratic in (3/2)^x.
Use 6^x/4^x=(6/4)^x=(3/2)^x and (9/4)^x=((3/2)^2)^x=((3/2)^x)^2.
((3/2)^x)^2-(3/2)^x-1=0

So, (3/2)^x=(1+-sqrt(1-4*1*(-1)))/2=(1+-sqrt(5))/2


For the positive solution:

(3/2)^x=(1+sqrt(5))/2

Applying logarythms:

xln (3/2)=ln((1+sqrt(5))/2)

x=(ln((1+sqrt(5))/2))/(ln (3/2))=1.18681439....