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Exponential and Logarithmic Equations (13.6) Class Notes

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8 views

Exponential and Logarithmic Equations (13.6) Class Notes

Uploaded by

1550935441tarerin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Math 102

13.6 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

Recall: When solving an equation, the most important thing to remember is that whatever
you do to one side, you must do to the other side as well!

i.e.:
• if you raise one side to power 5, you must raise the other side to power 5.
• if you take the log of one side, you must take the log of the other side (think about
taking logarithm as an operation, similar to raising to power).

Note: When solving an equation


• to remove an exponent, you must raise both sides to reciprocal of the exponent you are
trying to remove.
𝟑
2 2 𝟐 𝟑
o i.e. 𝑥 = 5 => (𝑥 ) = (5) 𝟐
3 3

• to remove a denominator, you first find the LCD, then multiply both sides by the LCD.

Exponential Equations (variable occurs in exponent):

Tool:
• Take the logarithm of both sides.
• Then use properties of logarithm to solve for the unknown.

Exercise 1: Solve the given equations. Round your final answer to 2 decimal places.
1
a) 3𝑥 = 81

b) 𝑒 −𝑥 = 17.54

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Math 102

c) 5𝑥+2 = 𝑒 2𝑥

d) 4𝑥−1 = 5𝑥+3

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Math 102

Logarithmic Equations:

Note: Since the logarithmic function is defined only for positive values of the independent
variable, the solutions MUST be checked for validity of original expressions.

Type 1: An equation contains Logarithms and numbers.

Tool:
• Combine all logarithms to the logarithm of a single quantity using the properties.
• Then switch to exponential form.

a) 5 log 32 𝑥 = −3

b) 3 log(2𝑥 − 1) = 1

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Math 102

c) ln(𝑥 + 2) − ln 𝑥 = 1

d) log 2 5 + log 2 (𝑥 + 2) = 7

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Math 102

e) log 2 (3𝑥 + 8) + log 2 (𝑥 − 1) = 2

Type 2: An equation contains Logarithms only

Tool:
• Combine logarithms on both sides to the logarithms of a single quantity using the
properties.
• Then omit logarithms switching to algebraic equation.

a) 2 log 2 3 + 2 log 2 𝑥 = log 2 45

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Math 102

b) log 2 (1 − 2𝑥) − log 2 (𝑥 + 5) = log 2 4

c) ln(2𝑥 − 1) − 2 ln 4 = 3 ln 2

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Math 102

d) log(𝑥 + 5) = 2 log(𝑥 − 1)

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