Math Olympiad Problem #maths #challenge

Can you solve this math olympiad problem? Let’s have a go at it step by step together. While this exponential equation is not difficult enough for a high-level contest like the IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad), it does fit the category of a Junior or Intermediate Olympiad-style problem such as the AMC 10/12 in the US, or the UKMT Intermediate Challenge. It is considered a competition problem because it cannot be solved using standard methods (like the quadratic formula) and instead requires algebraic insight, pattern recognition, or a clever substitution. Standard algebra teaches you to isolate x. But in equations where x appears both as a base and in the exponent, you cannot isolate x using elementary operations. The key to solving such problems is to change the form of the equation to make the left and right sides match structurally. #math #challenge