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Solving Exponential Equations

Exponential equations are equations that contain variables as exponents. To solve exponential equations with the same base, set the exponents equal to each other. If the bases are not the same, use logarithms to isolate the exponential term and solve for the variable. Key steps include isolating the exponential term, taking logarithms of both sides, and solving for the variable. Examples are provided to demonstrate solving exponential equations by setting exponents equal when bases are the same and using logarithms when bases are different.

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71 views

Solving Exponential Equations

Exponential equations are equations that contain variables as exponents. To solve exponential equations with the same base, set the exponents equal to each other. If the bases are not the same, use logarithms to isolate the exponential term and solve for the variable. Key steps include isolating the exponential term, taking logarithms of both sides, and solving for the variable. Examples are provided to demonstrate solving exponential equations by setting exponents equal when bases are the same and using logarithms when bases are different.

Uploaded by

Ruth Mootoo
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 DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solving Exponential

Equations
Definition
Exponential equations are equations in which variables occur as exponents. For example, exponential
equations are in the form ax = by .To solve exponential equations with same base, use the property of
equality of exponential functions.
An exponential function is a mathematical function found in the form f(x) = ax. Where ‘x’ is a variable
and ‘a’ is a constant called the base of the function. Eg. (ex) Euler function, where ‘e’ is the constant and
‘x’ is the variable.

If b is a positive number other than 1, then bx = by if and only if x = y. In other words, if the
bases are the same, then the exponents must be equal.

➢ Example
Solve the equation 42x-1=64.
Note that the bases are not the same. But we can rewrite 64 as a base of 4.
We know that, 43= 64
Rewrite 64 as 43 so each side has the same base.
42x-1 = 43
So 2x-1 = 3
Add 1 to each side.
2x – 1 + 1 = 3 + 1
2x = 4
Divide each side by 2.
So 2x/4 = 4/2
x=2

NOTE: If the bases are not the same, then use logarithms to solve the exponential equations.
To solve an exponential equation:
1. Isolate the exponential expression.
2. Take the logarithms of both sides.
3. Solve for the variable.
➢ Example 1
1. Solve for x: 2x = 12
log 2x = log 12
x log 2 = log 12
x =log 12/ log 2 ≈3.585

2. Solve for x : e5x = 30


ln e5x = ln 30
5x ln e = ln 30
5x = ln 30
X = ln 30/5 ≈ 0.680

EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH ONE UNKNOWN

An exponential equation is an equation that contains an unknown in an index (exponent).


For example:
If 2x = 64
Then 2x = 2
Since the bases are equal,
Then x = 6,
by equating the indices.
Hence, we shall use the equality law for indices to solve an exponential equation.

1. Solve each of the following exponential equations.


(a) 9x =243
(b) 4x = 8
(c) 3x-1 = 27
(d) 25x+3 = 625
(e) 2(8x+2 ) = 16 x+1
(f) 8x + 8x+1 = 576
(g) 22x+1 = 5(2x) +12
(h) 5(625x+2) = 125x-1
(i) 7 2x-5 = 343
(j) 10 3x-2 =1000
(k) 7(49x+3) = 343x-5
(l) 2(16x-3) = 4x+1
(m) 3(27x+1) = 9x-2

2. (a) 2x + 2x+1 = 24
(b) 22x - 6(2x) + 8 = 0
(c) 3x + 3x+2 = 90
(d) 22x - 10(2x) + 16 = 0
(e) 4x + 4x+1 = 80
(f) 32x - 6(3x) – 27 = 0
(g) 5x + 5x-1 = 6
(h) 52x - 30(5x) + 125 = 0

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