Carcass wrote:
For integers \(x\) and \(y\), \(3^{(4x+12)}=5^{(3x+y)}\). What is the value of y?
A. -12
B. -3
C. 0
D. 9
E. Cannot be determined
If \(x\) and \(y\) are
integers, the only way \(3^{(4x+12)}\) can equal \(5^{(3x+y)}\) is for the two exponents to equal \(0\) since \(3^0 = 1\) and \(5^0 = 1\)
If each exponent equals \(0\) then \(4x + 12 = 0\), which means \(x = -3\)
Now let's set the second exponent equal to \(0\) to get: \(3x+y = 0\)
If \(x = -3\), then the equation becomes: \(3(-3)+y = 0\)
Solve to get: \(y = 9\)
Answer: D