Make sure both sides of the equation are in the same base 4 and 32 can both be expressed in base 2 Applying the law of indices, ab×ac=ab+c, thus you add the powers if they are multiplying and the bases are the same 4=2×2=21×21=21+1=22 32=2×2×2×2×2=21+1+1+1+1=25 4x=32 ⇒(22)x=25 Applying the law of indices, (an)m=an×m ⇒22x=25 Since the bases are the same, the powers must also be the same ⇒2x=5 Divide both sides by 2 ⇒x=5∕2=21∕2