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635 - 2011-Exponential Equations - Explanation Practice

This document explains how to solve exponential equations by identifying two types. Type I equations can be solved by setting the exponential expressions equal when they have the same base. Type II equations require taking the logarithm of both sides to solve, applying logarithm properties to isolate the variable. Examples demonstrate solving equations from each type, such as 3x = 94 and 52x-1 = 25 × 53x-4 for Type I, and 2x-1 = 5 × 2x-4 and 3x = 2 for Type II. Practice problems are provided for the reader to determine the type and solve additional exponential equations.

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191 views

635 - 2011-Exponential Equations - Explanation Practice

This document explains how to solve exponential equations by identifying two types. Type I equations can be solved by setting the exponential expressions equal when they have the same base. Type II equations require taking the logarithm of both sides to solve, applying logarithm properties to isolate the variable. Examples demonstrate solving equations from each type, such as 3x = 94 and 52x-1 = 25 × 53x-4 for Type I, and 2x-1 = 5 × 2x-4 and 3x = 2 for Type II. Practice problems are provided for the reader to determine the type and solve additional exponential equations.

Uploaded by

api-258903855
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Exponential EquationsExplanation and Practice

Exponential equations vs. polynomial equations


Example 1:
2x + 1 = 5, 3x 2 2x 1 = 0, and x 3 + 3x 2 x 2 = 0 are polynomial equations.
Example 2:
3 x = 81, 3 x = 2, and 2 x 1 = 5 2 x 4 are exponential equations.
The distinction between exponential and polynomial equations is that exponential equations
have an exponent that is a variable and the exponents in polynomial equations are constants.
In Example 2, the equation 3 x = 81 can be written in the form 3 x = 3 4 . Since you have one
exponential expression on each side and the bases are the same, you can conclude that the
exponents are the same.
Hence the solution of 3 x = 3 4 is x = 4.
Example 3: Some exponential equations fit the same base type, but it may not be obvious.
1
Consider: 42x-1 = x+2
8
To solve by this technique, we write this equation in the form
2 x1
1
22
=
, then

24x-2 =

23

x 2

1
23x+6
- 3x+6

24x-2 = 2

Since the exponential expressions now have the same base, the exponents must be equal:
4x 2 = 3x 6
7x = 4
4
x= 7
An equation like 3 x = 2 or 2 x 1 = 5 2 x 4 requires a different technique since we do not have
the equality of two exponential expressions with the same base nor could either equation be
rewritten to have the same bases. The next example will illustrate such a problem.

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Example 4: Solve 2 x 1 = 5 2 x 4 . The technique used for this type is to take a logarithm of
both sides. Use either the common logarithm (log base 10) or natural logarithm
(log base e) since these two logarithms can be evaluated easily with a scientific
or graphing calculator. Taking the natural logarithm of both sides, we get
ln 2 x 1 = ln 5 2 x 4 .
Next apply the logarithm property: ln a n = n ln a
so
(x 1) ln 2 = (2x 4) ln 5
This is a linear equation. We need to solve for x.
(x 1) ln 2 = (2x 4) ln 5
x ln 2 1 ln 2 = 2x ln 5 4 ln 5
ln 2 = 2x ln 5 x ln 2 4 ln 5
ln 2 + 4 ln 5 = 2x ln 5 x ln 2
ln 2 + 4 ln 5 = x (2 ln 5 ln 2)
- ln 2 + 4 ln 5 = x
2 ln 5 - ln 2
x 2.274 (correct to 3 decimal places)

distribute and remove parentheses


get all the terms with x on the same side
subtract x ln 2 from both sides
add 4 ln 5 to both sides
factor out x
divide both sides by (2 ln 5 ln 2)
Use a calculator to evaluate the
logarithmic expression.

Another equation than can be solved by taking the logarithm of both sides is 3x = 2. Try it!
(The answer is 0.631)

Summary of Exponential Equations

a = a By the one-to-one property of exponential functions, one can


conclude that f(x) = g(x)
f x

Type I

gx

a = gx or a = b where a b
The technique is to take a logarithm of both sides and then use the
Logarithm property logban = n logba
f x

f x

Type 2

gx

Practice:
Determine the type of each equation and then solve using the appropriate technique.
1. 3x = 94

4.

27 2

x 5

2. 52x-1 = 25 53x-4
3. 2 = 3
x

5.

x-2

1
2

6.
2

-2-

x+4

2 x 1

25

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Answer Key
Exponential Equations Explanation and Practice

1. Type I

5.

3x = 94
3x = (32)4
3x = 38
x=8

1
2

25
5

= 23

2x+4

- x+4

= 23
5
x 4 =
3
-17
x=
3

52x-1 = 25 53x-4
52x-1 = 52 53x-4
52x-1 = 53x-2
2x1 = 3x2
1 = x2
x=1

6. Type II
1
2 2 x 1

3. Type II

2 (2 x 1) 5

2x = 3x-2
ln 2x = ln 3x-2
x ln 2 = (x-2) ln 3
x ln 2 = x ln 3 2 ln 3
x ln 2 x ln 3 = 2 ln 3
x ( ln 2 ln 3 ) = 2 ln 3
2 ln 3
x=
ln 2 ln 3
x 5.419

ln 2 ln 5
(2x +1) ln 2 = ln 5
ln 5
2x+1 =
ln 2
ln 5
2x =
1
ln 2
1 ln 5
x
1
2 ln 2
x .661
-2x+1

4. Type I

x+4

2. Type I

x 5

Type I

27 2

3
3-x-5 = (33)2
3-x-5 = 36
x5=6
x = 11
x = 11

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