# What is the rule of equating exponents called?

For example:

$$2^{2n-1} = 2^{n+2} \Rightarrow 2n - 1 - n - 2 = 0 \Rightarrow n = 3$$

I couldn't find this rule in properties of exponents i.e when the bases are equal, the exponents can be equated. What is this rule called?

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Take the logarithm of both sides with respect to base $2$... –  user13838 Oct 9 '11 at 19:28
@percusse, The OP asks for the name of the rule. –  Did Oct 9 '11 at 19:30
@DidierPiau That's correct. But I intended to give a hint, not the answer. –  user13838 Oct 9 '11 at 19:32
@DidierPiau: I think that as a comment that is fine - an answer might be "taking logarithms" –  Mark Bennet Oct 9 '11 at 19:33
@percusse, sure, but a hint of what? Of a proof of the rule (which is not asked by the OP) or of the name of the rule? Well, anyway, this is no big deal. –  Did Oct 9 '11 at 19:39

In the end, it comes down to the fact that the function $$x\longmapsto 2^x$$ is "one-to-one"; that is, that different inputs yield different outputs. That is, that the graph of $y=2^x$ passes the so-called "horizontal line test": a horizontal line intersects the graph at most once.
It's the same reason that we can go from $a^3 = b^3$ to $a=b$: because the function $x\longmapsto x^3$ is one-to-one; and why we cannot go from $a^2=b^2$ to $a=b$: because $x\longmapsto x^2$ is not one-to-one (different inputs may give the same output; e.g., $(-1)^2 = 1^2$ even though $-1\neq 1$).
It's merely the fact that exponential functions whose base is a positive number other than 1 are one-to-one functions. If $f$ is a one-to-one function and $f(2n-1) = f(n+2)$ then $2n-1=n+2$.