Each of the following equations has at least one solution EXCEPT
-2n = (-2)-n
2-n = (-2)n
2n = (-2)-n
(-2)n = -2n
(-2)-n = -2-
(A) The left side is always negative. Notice that in -2n, you apply the exponent first, then the negative sign. 2 raised to any power is always positive, so the negative sign makes the whole left side negative.
The right side is positive for even values of n and negative for odd values of n. Therefore, the two sides of this equation are reciprocals when n is odd, and opposite reciprocals when n is even; the absolute values won’t be the same unless n = 0 (in which case the left side is -1 and the right side is 1). The signs won’t be the same unless n is odd. Therefore, the equation has no solution. Try a few numbers to see the patterns at work.
(B) The left side is always positive, while the right side is positive for even values of n and negative for odd values of n. Therefore, the two sides of the equation are reciprocals when n is even, and opposite reciprocals when n is odd. The only solution to the equation is n = 0, which produces 1 on both sides.
(C) The left side is always positive, while the right side is positive for even values of n and negative for odd values of n. Therefore, the two sides of the equation are reciprocals when n is even, and opposite reciprocals when n is odd. The only solution to the equation is n = 0, which produces 1 on both sides.
(D) The left side is positive for even values of n and negative for odd values of n, while the right side is always negative; the absolute values of the two sides are always the same (= 2n). Therefore, any odd value of n will solve this equation.
(E) The left side is positive for even values of n and negative for odd values of n, while the right side is always negative; the absolute values of the two sides are always the same (= 2-n). Therefore, any odd value of n will solve this equation.