Problem: if ( 18 ^ a ) * 9 ^ ( 3 a – 1 ) = ( 2 ^ 3 ) ( 3 ^ b ) and a and b are positive integers , what is the value of a ?
Rationale: 18 ^ a ) * 9 ^ ( 3 a – 1 ) = ( 2 ^ 3 ) ( 3 ^ b ) = 2 ^ a . 9 ^ a . 9 ^ ( 3 a – 1 ) = ( 2 ^ 3 ) ( 3 ^ b ) just compare powers of 2 from both sides ( no need to calculate powers of 3 , 9 as value of b is not asked ) answer = 3 answer : e
annotated_formula: multiply(3, 1)