SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS and INEQUALITY

1.1 Distinguishing between exponential function, exponential equation, and exponential inequality

Recall that an exponential expression is an expression of the forma ∙ b x−c + d , where (b> 0 , b ≠1).

The definitions of exponential equations, inequalities and functions are shown below:
Exponential Equation Exponential Inequality Exponential Function

An Exponential equation An inequality involving Function of the form

Definition is an equation involving exponential expressions. x
f (x)=b where
exponential expressions. (b> 0 , b ≠1).
Exponential Equations- Exponential Inequality –
equations in which a inequalities having a
variable occurs at the variable in the exponent.
exponent

 Forms of exponential
equations:
x y
b =a
Exponential equation
having different bases.
x y
b =b
Exponential equation
having the same bases.

Example 5 x+2 2x 3x x−1

3 =27 27 −1<81 f ( x )=2
x−1 x+2 x−1 x+2 x+ 2
8 =16 4 ≥ 64 f ( x )=3

An exponential equation or inequality can be solved for all x values that satisfy the equation or inequality. An
exponential function expresses a relationship between two variables (such as x and y ) and can be represented by a table of
values or a graph.

Recall the different Laws of Exponent.

Let a> 0 and let x and y be real numbers. Then

1. a n> 0 5. a 0=1
−x 1
2. a = x 6. a 1=a
a
y
3. a x+ y =( a x ) ( a y ) 7. a xy = ( a x )
x
x− y a
4. a = y 8. If x= y , then a x =a y
a
1.2 SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATION

Steps in Solving Exponential Equations

1. Express both sides as equal bases.

2. Equate the exponents by canceling the common base.
3. Combine like terms.
4. Simplify the result.
5. Check your answer.

Example 1: Solve for the value of x in the equation 6 2 x+1=6 3 x−2

Solution:
2 x+1 3 x−2
6 =6 Make sure both sides have the same base
2 x+1=3 x−2 Equate the exponents cancelling 6
2 x−3 x=−2−1 Combine like terms
−x=−3 Divide both sides by −1
x=3

Check your answer by substituting the obtained value of x in the original equation:
2 x+1 3 x−2
6 =6
2(3)+1 3(3)−2
6 =6
6+1 9−2
6 =6
7 7
6 =6

Example 2: Solve for the values of x in the equation 22 x =2x+1

Solution:
2 x=x+ 1
2 x−x=1
x=1

Check your answer by substituting the obtained value of x in the original equation:
2x x+1
2 =2
2 (1) (1)+1
2 =2
2 2
2 =2
4 =4

Example 3: Solve for the values of x in the equation 53 x+2=625

Solution:
3 x+2
5 =625 Express 625 as a base of 5, 54
3 x+2 4
5 =5
3 x+ 2=4 Equate the exponents
3 x=4−2 Combine like terms
3 x=2 Divide both sides by 3
2
x=
3

Check your answer by substituting the obtained value of x in the original equation:
3 x+2
5 =625
3()
2
3
+2
5 =625
2+ 2
5 =625
4 4
5 =5

Example 4: Solve for the values of x in the equation 92 x−1 =33 x+ 4

Solution:
 2 x−1 3 x+ 4
9 =3
2(2 x−1) 3 x+ 4
(3) =3
2 ( 2 x−1 )=3 x+ 4
4 x−2=3 x +4
4 x−3 x=4 +2
x=6

Check your answer by substituting the obtained value of x in the original equation:
2 (6)−1 3 (6 )+4
9 =3
12−1 18 +4
9 =3
11 22
9 =3
31, 381, 059, 609 = 31, 381, 059, 609

−x 1
Example 5: Solve for the values of x in the equation 16 =
64

Solution:
−x
( 42 ) =(64)−1
−2 x −1
4 =( 4¿¿ 3) ¿
−2 x −3
4 =4
−2 x=−3
−3
x=
−2
3
x=
2

SOLVING EXPONENTIAL INEQUALITY

RULES FOR SOLVING EXPONENTIAL INEQUALITIES:

1. The sense of inequality is not changed if the same real number is added or subtracted from
both sides of the inequality.
2. The sense of inequality is not changed if both sides of an equality are multiplied or divided
by the same positive real number.
3. The sense of inequality is changed if both sides of an inequality are multiplied or divided by
the same negative real number.

Steps in Solving Exponential Inequality

1. Express both sides as equal bases.

2. Equate the exponents
3. Combine like terms.
4. Simplify the result.
5. Test which value satisfies the inequality.

Example 1: Find the solution for x given4 x+3 >82 x−3 .

Solution:
x+3 2 x−3
4 >8 Given
2 (x+3) 3 ( 2 x−3)
2 >2 Make sure both sides have the same base
2 x+ 6>6 x−9 Equate the exponents
 2 x−6 x >−9−6 Combine like terms
−4 x>−15 Divide both sides by −4
x <3.75 When you divide both sides by negative, the inequality changes to its
opposite direction.

The solution is all values below 3.75 or (−∞, 3.75).

Example 2: Find the solution for x given63 x+4 ≥ 36 x−3

Solution:

3 x+4 x−3
6 ≥ 36 Given

63 x+4 ≥ 62 ( x−3) Make sure both sides have the same base
3 x+ 4 ≥ 2 x−6 Equate the exponents
3 x−2 x ≥−6−4 Combine like terms
x ≥−10 Simplify the result, the inequality remains since we divide both side by
positive.

The solution is all values from -10 and above or ¿.