Algebra Examples

$8 - 3^{x} = - 1$

Step 1

Add $1$ to both sides of the equation.

$8 - 3^{x} + 1 = 0$

Step 2

Add $8$ and $1$ .

$9 - 3^{x} = 0$

Step 3

Subtract $9$ from both sides of the equation.

$- 3^{x} = - 9$

Step 4

Divide each term in $- 3^{x} = - 9$ by $- 1$ and simplify.

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Step 4.1

Divide each term in $- 3^{x} = - 9$ by $- 1$ .

$\frac{- 3^{x}}{- 1} = \frac{- 9}{- 1}$

Step 4.2

Simplify the left side.

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Step 4.2.1

Dividing two negative values results in a positive value.

$\frac{3^{x}}{1} = \frac{- 9}{- 1}$

Step 4.2.2

Divide $3^{x}$ by $1$ .

$3^{x} = \frac{- 9}{- 1}$

Step 4.3

Simplify the right side.

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Step 4.3.1

Divide $- 9$ by $- 1$ .

$3^{x} = 9$

Step 5

Create equivalent expressions in the equation that all have equal bases.

$3^{x} = 3^{2}$

Step 6

Since the bases are the same, then two expressions are only equal if the exponents are also equal.

$x = 2$