Solve for x 9^(3x-1)=81

$9^{3 x - 1} = 81$

Step 1

Create equivalent expressions in the equation that all have equal bases.

$9^{3 x - 1} = 9^{2}$

Step 2

Since the bases are the same, then two expressions are only equal if the exponents are also equal.

$3 x - 1 = 2$

Step 3

Solve for $x$ .

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Add $1$ to both sides of the equation.

$3 x = 2 + 1$

Add $2$ and $1$ .

$3 x = 3$

Divide each term in $3 x = 3$ by $3$ and simplify.

Divide each term in $3 x = 3$ by $3$ .

$\frac{3 x}{3} = \frac{3}{3}$

Simplify the left side.

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{3 x}{3} = \frac{3}{3}$

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{3}{3}$

Simplify the right side.

Divide $3$ by $3$ .

$x = 1$