If (18^a) * 9^(3a – 1)= (2^6)(3^b) and a and b are positive integers, what is the value of a?  Pick one.
A) 22 B) 11 C) 9 D) 6 E) 3
(18^a) * 9^(3a – 1)= (2^6)(3^b)   = 2^a . 9^a . 9^(3a – 1) = (2^6)(3^b)   Just compare powers of 2 from both sides   Answer = 6 = 6
<result>D</result>
If (18^a) * 9^(3a – 1)= (2^6)(3^b) and a and b are positive integers, what is the value of a?