Math

Question Solve for xx in the equation 7x=177^{x} = \frac{1}{7}. Express the answer as an integer or a simplified fraction.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

Assumptions
1. We are given the equation 7x=177^{x} = \frac{1}{7}.
2. We need to solve for xx.
3. We will use the properties of exponents to solve the equation.

STEP 2

Recognize that 17\frac{1}{7} can be written as 717^{-1}, because any non-zero number to the negative power is the reciprocal of the number to the corresponding positive power.
17=71\frac{1}{7} = 7^{-1}

STEP 3

Now we can rewrite the original equation using this property.
7x=717^{x} = 7^{-1}

STEP 4

Since the bases on both sides of the equation are the same (both are 7), we can set the exponents equal to each other. This is because if am=ana^m = a^n for some non-zero number aa, then m=nm = n.
x=1x = -1

STEP 5

We have found the value of xx.
x=1x = -1
The solution to the equation 7x=177^{x} = \frac{1}{7} is x=1x = -1.

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