Paper 1 · Exponential equationsSolve the equation 3x−1+3x−2=123^{x-1} + 3^{x-2} = 123x−1+3x−2=12.Ax=2x = 2x=2Bx=3x = 3x=3Cx=4x = 4x=4Dx=27x = 27x=27Explanation: 3x3+3x9=4(3x)9=12\tfrac{3^x}{3}+\tfrac{3^x}{9}=\tfrac{4(3^x)}{9}=1233x+93x=94(3x)=12, so 3x=27=333^x=27=3^33x=27=33 and x=3x=3x=3.Derived from ZIMSEC Mathematics Paper 1, November 2019, Q1