Find $x$: $5^{x+2} - 5^{x+1} = 500$.

Find $x$: $5^{x+2} - 5^{x+1} = 500$.
  1. $1$
  2. $2$
  3. $3$
  4. $0$

Solution

Factor: $5^{x+1}(5 - 1) = 500 \Rightarrow 4 \cdot 5^{x+1} = 500 \Rightarrow 5^{x+1} = 125 = 5^{3} \Rightarrow x + 1 = 3 \Rightarrow x = 2$.

Asked in: IMO

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