MATHEMATICS

Exponential Equations

Solving exponential equations

Specific Objectives

1. Solve exponential equations.

Materials

● Pen
● Bond paper or intermediate paper

Lesson

Exponential equation is an equation in which the unknown occurs as part

For example: 2𝑥 = 8 and 30(3𝑥 ) = 7 are both exponential equations. If 2𝑥 =

Hence: If 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑘 , then 𝑥 = 𝑘 (one-to-one property). So, if the base numbers

1
Worked Example 1
1
Solve for x: a. 2𝑥 = 16 b. 3𝑥+2 = 27

Solution:

a. 2𝑥 = 16 ➢ Given

2 𝑥 = 24 ➢ 16 = 24

𝒙=𝟒 ➢ One-to-one property

1
b. 3𝑥+2 = 27 ➢ Given

1 1 1
3𝑥+2 = 3−3 ➢ = 33 and 33 = 3−3
27

𝑥 + 2 = −3
➢ One-to-one property
𝒙 = −𝟓

Worked Example 2
1
Solve for 𝑥: a. 4𝑥 = 8 b. 9𝑥−2 = 3

Solution:

a. 4𝑥 = 8 ➢ Given

(22 )𝑥 = 23 ➢ 4 = 22

22𝑥 = 23 ➢ Power of a power rule of exponents

2𝑥 = 3 ➢ One-to-one property

𝟑
𝒙=
𝟐

b. 9𝑥−2 = 3
1
➢ Given

1
(32 )𝑥−2 = 3−1 ➢ 9 = 32 and = 3−1
3

32𝑥−4 = 3−1 ➢ Power of a power rule of exponents

2
EXERCISES

Directions: Write your answers and solutions on a separate paper.

Solve for 𝑥:

1. 2𝑥 = 2 6. 2𝑥 = 1 11. 2𝑥+1 = 8
1 1 1
2. 2𝑥 = 2 7. 3𝑥 = 3 12. 21−2𝑥 = 2

3. 2𝑥−2 = 4
1
8. 3𝑥+1 = 27
1 13. 4𝑥 = 32
1
4. 2𝑥 = 4 1 14. 8𝑥 = 4
9. 2 =
𝑥
8
5. 3 = 27
𝑥
15. 32𝑥 =
1
10. 2𝑥+1 = 64 3

INTERMEDIATE

Solve for 𝑥:

1 1
1. 49𝑥 = 7 6. 42𝑥−1 = 2

2. 4𝑥 = 8
1
7. 9𝑥−3 = 3
1 𝑥+1
3. 25𝑥 = 5
1
8. ( ) =2
2

4. 8𝑥+2 = 32 1 𝑥+2
9. (3) =9
1
5. 81−𝑥 = 4 1 𝑥+1
10. (2) = 32

ADVANCED

Solve for 𝑥:

1. 3(2𝑥 ) = 24 4. 12(3−𝑥 ) = 3
4

2. 7(2𝑥 ) = 56 1 𝑥
5. 5 (2) = 20
3. 3(2𝑥+1 ) = 24

Closure

A. Please check the box if you can do it already.

• I can solve exponential equations.

3
 2
Answer key on Exercises:
Basic: Intermediate: Advance:
1 1
1. 𝑥 = 1 6. 𝑥 = 0 11. 𝑥 = 2 1. 𝑥 = − 2 6. 𝑥 = 4 1. 𝑥 = 3
3
2. 𝑥 = −1 7. 𝑥 = −1 12. 𝑥 = 1 2. 𝑥 = − 2 7. 𝑥 = 3 2. 𝑥 = 3
5 1
3. 𝑥 = 0 8. 𝑥 = −4 13. 𝑥 = 2 3. 𝑥 = − 2 8. 𝑥 = −2 3. 𝑥 = 2
2 1
4. 𝑥 = 2 9. 𝑥 = −3 14. 𝑥 = − 3 4. 𝑥 = − 3 9. 𝑥 = −4 4. 𝑥 = 2
1 5
5. 𝑥 = 3 10. 𝑥 = −7 15. 𝑥 = − 2 5. 𝑥 = 3 10. 𝑥 = −6 5. 𝑥 = −2
Haese & Harris Publications.
2008. Mathematics For the International Student. 2nd Ed. Australia:
Urban, Paul, Robert Haese, Sandra Haese, Michael Haese, and Mark Humphries.
References
separate paper.
B. If you have questions in mind, please include in your submission on a