Solving Exponential Equations

Deciding How to Solve Exponential Equations

When asked to solve an exponential equation such as 2x + 6 = 32 or 52x 3 = 18, the first thing we need to do
is to decide which way is the best way to solve the problem. Some exponential equations can be solved by
rewriting each side of the equation using the same base. Other exponential equations can only be solved by
using logarithms. How do we decide what is the best way to solve an exponential equation? The key is to
look at the base of the exponential equation and determine if the each side of the problem can be rewritten
using the same base.

If we consider the problem 2x + 6 = 32, the base of the exponent is 2 and we need to decide if we can rewrite
the number 32 using only the number 2. In this case it is possible to write the number 32 using only 2s, 32
= 22222 = 25. This means that the best way to solve the problem 2x + 6 = 32 is to rewrite the problem
using the base 2. If we consider the problem 52x 3 = 18, the base of the exponent is 5 and we need to decide
if we can rewrite the number 18 using only the number 5. In this case it is impossible to write the number 18
using only 5s, 18 = 233 = 232. This means that the best and only way to solve the problem 52x 3 = 18 is
to use logarithms.

Solving Exponential Equations with the Same Base

After deciding the best way to solve an exponential equation is by rewriting each side of the equation using
the same base, what is next?

Solving Exponential Equations with the Same Base

If BM = BN, then M = N.

This statement simply says that if the bases are the same then the exponents must be the same. To solve an
exponential equation with the same base, first we need to rewrite the problem using the same base and after
getting the bases the same we can drop the bases and set the exponents equal to each other.

Lets finish solving the problem 2x + 6 = 32 from before. In this problem we have already seen that both 2
and 32 can be written using the number 2. If we continue from there we get:

2x6 25 Rewrite the problem using the same base.

x+6=5 Since the bases are the same, we can drop the bases and set the
exponents equal to each other.

x = 1 Finish solving by subtracting 6 from each side.

Therefore, the solution to the problem 2x + 6 = 32 is x = 1.

 There is another example, solve 92x 5 = 27.

92x 5 = 27 Determine if 9 and 27 can be written using the same base. In this
case both 9 and 27 can be written using the base 3.

3
2 2x5
33
Rewrite the problem using the same base.

34x5 33 Use the properties of exponents to simplify the exponents, when a

power is raised to a power, we multiply the powers.

4x 5 = 3 Since the bases are the same, we can drop the bases and set the
exponents equal to each other.

x=2 Finish solving by adding 5 to each side and then dividing each side
by 4.

Therefore, the solution to the problem 92x 5 = 27 is x = 2.

Now that we have looked at a couple of examples of solving exponential equations with the same base, lets
list the steps for solving exponential equations that have the same base.

Steps for Solving Exponential Equations with the Same Base

Step 1: Determine if the numbers can be written using the same base. If so, go to Step 2. If not,
stop and use Steps for Solving an Exponential Equation with Different Bases.

Step 2: Rewrite the problem using the same base.

Step 3: Use the properties of exponents to simplify the problem.

Step 4: Once the bases are the same, drop the bases and set the exponents equal to each other.

Step 5: Finish solving the problem by isolating the variable.

Solving Exponential Equations with the Different Bases

After deciding the only way to solve an exponential equation is to use logarithms, what is next? The next
step is to take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side. By taking the logarithm of each side,
we can use the properties of logarithms, specifically property 5 from our list of properties, to rewrite the
exponential problem as a multiplication problem. After changing the problem from an exponential problem
to a multiplication problem using the properties of logarithms we will be able to finish solving the problem.
Lets finish solving the problem 52x 3 = 18 from before. In this problem we have already seen that it is
impossible to rewrite the numbers 5 and 18 using the same base, so we must use logarithms. Continuing on
here is what we get:

log(52 x3 ) log(18) Take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side.

(2x 3)(log 5) log18 Use the properties of logarithms to rewrite the problem. Move the
exponent out front which turns this into a multiplication problem.

log18 Divide each side by log 5.

2x 3
log 5

2x 3 1.795889 Use a calculator to find log 18 divided by log 5. Round the answer
as appropriate, these answers will use 6 decimal places.

x 2.397944 Finish solving the problem by adding 3 to each side and then
dividing each side by 2.

Therefore, the solution to the problem 52x 3 = 18 is x 2.397944.

The directions say, Take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side. You will get the
same answer no matter which logarithm you use, it is a matter of personal preference. The only time
that you should specifically use a natural logarithm is when dealing with the base e.

Here is another example, solve 84x + 1 = 205.

84x1 205 Determine if 8 and 205 can be written using the same base. In this
case 8 and 205 cannot be written using the same base, so we must
use logarithms.

log(84 x 1) log(205) Take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side.

(4x 1)(log 8) log 205 Use the properties of logarithms to rewrite the problem. Move the
exponent out front which turns this into a multiplication problem.

log 205 Divide each side by log 8.

4x 1
log 8

4x 1 2.559827 Use a calculator to find log 205 divided by log 8. Round the
answer as appropriate, these answers will use 6 decimal places.

x 0.389957 Finish solving the problem by subtracting 1 from each side and
then dividing each side by 4.

Therefore, the solution to the problem 84x + 1 = 205 is x 0.389957.

Now that we have looked at a couple of examples of solving exponential equations with different bases,
lets list the steps for solving exponential equations that have different bases.
 Solving Exponential Equations with Different Bases

Step 1: Determine if the numbers can be written using the same base. If so, stop and use Steps for
Solving an Exponential Equation with the Same Base. If not, go to Step 2.

Step 2: Take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side.

Step 3: Use the properties of logarithms to rewrite the problem. Specifically, use Property 5 which
says loga xy yloga x.

Step 4: Divide each side by the logarithm.

Step 5: Use a calculator to find the decimal approximation of the logarithms.

Step 6: Finish solving the problem by isolating the variable.

Examples Now lets use the steps shown above to work through some examples. These examples will be a
mixture of exponential equations with the same base and exponential equations with different bases.

Example 1: Solve 53x + 7 = 311

53x7 311 Determine if 5 and 311 can be written using the same base. In this
case 5 and 311 cannot be written using the same base, so we must
use logarithms.

log(53x 7 ) log(311) Take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side.

(3x 7)(log 5) log 311 Use the properties of logarithms to rewrite the problem. Move the
exponent out front which turns this into a multiplication problem.

log 311 Divide each side by log 5.

3x 7 log 5

3x 7 3.566334 Use a calculator to find log 311 divided by log 5. Round the
answer as appropriate, these answers will use 6 decimal places.

x 1.144555 Finish solving the problem by subtracting 7 from each side and
then dividing each side by 3.

Therefore, the solution to the problem 53x + 7 = 311 is x 1.144555.

Example 2: Solve 252x 1 = 1253x + 4

252x1 1253x4 Determine if 25 and 125 can be written using the same base. In this
case both 25 and 125 can be written using the base 5.

5
2 2x1

3x4
53 Rewrite the problem using the same base.

54 x2 59x12 Use the properties of exponents to simplify the exponents, when a

power is raised to a power, we multiply the powers.

4x 2 = 9x + 12 Since the bases are the same, we can drop the bases and set the
exponents equal to each other.
14
x Finish solving by adding 2 to each side, subtracting 9x from each
5 side, and then dividing each side by 5.
14
Therefore, the solution to the problem 252x 1 = 1253x + 4 is x .
5

Example 3: Solve e4x 9 = 56

e4x9 56 Determine if e and 56 can be written using the same base. In this
case e and 56 cannot be written using the same base, so we must
use logarithms.

ln(e4 x9 ) ln(56) Take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side. In
this case, we should use the natural logarithm because the base is e.

(4x 9)(ln e) ln 56 Use the properties of logarithms to rewrite the problem. Move the
exponent out front which turns this into a multiplication problem.

(4x 9)(1) ln 56 Use the properties of logarithms to find ln e. Property 2 states that
ln e = 1.

4x 9 4.025352 Use a calculator to find ln 56. Round the answer as appropriate,

these answers will use 6 decimal places.

x 3.256338 Finish solving the problem by adding 9 to each side and then
dividing each side by 4.

Therefore, the solution to the problem e4x 9 = 56 is x 3.256338.

 Example 4: Solve 75x + 3 = 512

75x3 312 Determine if 7 and 312 can be written using the same base. In this
case 7 and 312 cannot be written using the same base, so we must
use logarithms.

log(75 x3 ) log(312) Take the common logarithm or natural logarithm of each side.

(5x 3)(log 7) log 312 Use the properties of logarithms to rewrite the problem. Move the
exponent out front which turns this into a multiplication problem.

log 312
5x 3 log 7 Divide each side by log 7.

5x 3 2.951320 Use a calculator to find log 312 divided by log 7. Round the
answer as appropriate, these answers will use 6 decimal places.

x 0.009736 Finish solving the problem by subtracting 3 from each side and
then dividing each side by 5.

Therefore, the solution to the problem 75x + 3 = 312 is x 0.009736.

x2
Example 5: Solve 8 2x3
1
16
x2
1 Determine if 8 and 1/16 can be written using the same base. In this
8 2x3
case both 8 and 1/16 can be written using the base 2.
16

2
x 2
3 2x3
2 4 Rewrite the problem using the same base. Note that 1/16 = 1/24 =
24.

26x9 24x8 Use the properties of exponents to simplify the exponents, when a
power is raised to a power, we multiply the powers.

6x 9 4x 8 Since the bases are the same, we can drop the bases and set the
exponents equal to each other.

17
Finish solving by adding 9 to each side, adding 4x to each side,
x 10 and then dividing each side by 10.

x2

2x3 1
Therefore, the solution to the problem 8 is x 17 .
16 10
 Addition Examples

If you would like to see more examples of solving exponential equations, just click on the link below.

Additional Examples

Practice Problems

Now it is your turn to try a few practice problems on your own. Work on each of the problems below and
then click on the link at the end to check your answers.

Problem 1: Solve: 43x5 84x3

Problem 2: Solve: e83x 268

Problem 3: Solve: 56x7 761

3x1
1
Problem 4: Solve: 9 2x3

27

Problem 5: Solve: 32x5 87

Problem 6: Solve: 4e3x5 195

Solutions to Practice Problems