(17)3.5 \( \times \) (17)? = 178

(17)^3.5 \( \times \) (17)^? = 17⁸

A 2.29

B 2.75

C 4.25

D 4.5

E None

Correct Answer: Option D

Solution:

(17)^3.5 \( \times \) (17)^? = 17⁸

=> (17)^? = \(\frac{{{{17}^{8\;}}}}{{{{17}^{3.5\;}}}}\)

=> (17)^? = 17^{(8 - 3.5)}

=> (17)^? = 17^4.5

? = 4.5

Shortcut = 3.5 + x = 8 x = 8 - 3.5 = 4.5