Scribd
Upload
232 views2 pages

Exponential Equations

This document provides examples of solving exponential equations. Example 1 shows solving the equation 5x = 125x+1 by taking the logarithm of both sides to isolate the variable x. Example 2 solves the equation 52x+1 = 23x+3 in a similar way. Example 3 solves the equation 32x − 4 · 3x + 4 = 0 through substitution of y = 3x and factoring to find the value of x. The document emphasizes choosing a single base if possible and using natural logarithms if not. It concludes with practice problems for students to solve exponential equations.

Uploaded by

Matematika Ssv
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
232 views2 pages

Exponential Equations

This document provides examples of solving exponential equations. Example 1 shows solving the equation 5x = 125x+1 by taking the logarithm of both sides to isolate the variable x. Example 2 solves the equation 52x+1 = 23x+3 in a similar way. Example 3 solves the equation 32x − 4 · 3x + 4 = 0 through substitution of y = 3x and factoring to find the value of x. The document emphasizes choosing a single base if possible and using natural logarithms if not. It concludes with practice problems for students to solve exponential equations.

Uploaded by

Matematika Ssv
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Math 135 Exponential Equations Examples

Whenever it is possible to work with a single base we do so, because then we may
equate the coefficients.
Example 1. Solve 5x = 125x+1
5x
125x+1 =
5x
(53 )x+1 =
5x
53(x+1) =
x
3(x + 1) =
3x + 3x =
3
x = −
2
What we have done really in line (4) was to secretly take the logarithm base 5 of both
sides, i.e.
5x = 53(x+1) ⇐⇒ log5 5x = log5 53(x+1) ⇐⇒ x log5 5 = 3(x + 1) log5 5 ⇐⇒ x = 3(x + 1)
This method allows us to solve equations where it is too difficult or impossible to reduce
to a single base. In such an event we have to choose a base for the logarithm, and the
most natural choice is the natural logarithm.
Example 2. Solve: 52x+1 = 23x+3
52x+1 23x+3
=
ln 52x+1 ln 23x+3
=
(2x + 1) ln 5 =
(3x + 3) ln 2
2x ln 5 + ln 5 =
3x ln 2 + 3 ln 2
2x ln 5 − 3x ln 2 3 ln 2 − ln 5
=
x(2 ln 5 − 3 ln 2) 3 ln 2 − ln 5
=
3 ln 2 − ln 5
x =
2 ln 5 − 3 ln 2
Sometimes neither of these approaches will work. The next example recalls an idea we
have encountered before. It is an equation of quadratic type and the key step in solving it
is a substitution of the from y = ax .
Example 3. Solve: 32x − 4 · 3x + 4 = 0
32x − 4 · 3x + 4 = 0, substitute y = 3x
y 2 − 4y + 4 = 0
(y − 2)(y − 2) = 0

ln 2
The solution is therefore x = ln 3
because
ln 2
y = 2 = 3x ⇒ x =
ln 3
An essential step in solving these problems is to verify each solution. Note that
y = −2 = 3x would not produce a solution, because the exponential function is always
positive so there is no value of x for which 3x ≤ 0.

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa 165


R Spring - 2014
Math 135 Exponential Equations Worksheet

• Solve:

1. 3x = 27
2. 3x = 32x+1
3. 3x = 92x+1
4. ay = a4
5. a2 · ay = a1−y
6. e(x+1)(x−1) = 1
7. 3x+1 = 7
8. 52x = 2x+3
9. 33x = 72x+1
10. * 22x + 2x − 12 = 0
11. * e4x − 5e2x + 6 = 0

Sample Midterm Sample Final


12 A B C D
26 A B C D
38 A B C D

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa 166


R Spring - 2014

You might also like