Solving Exponential Equations and

Inequalities

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Warm Up

Solve each equation. Check your solution.

1. 9𝑥 = 4
2. 25𝑥 + 2 = 6

3. −3𝑥 − 34 = 47

4. 4𝑥 + 3 = 67

5. 5 − 2𝑥 = −59

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Warm Up

Solve each equation. Check your solution.

1. 9𝑥 = 4 ±

2. 25𝑥 + 2 = 6 ±

3. −3𝑥 − 34 = 47 − 3

4. 4𝑥 + 3 = 67 ±2

5. 5 − 2𝑥 = −59 2

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Standards for Mathematical Content

A.CED.1 Create equations and inequalities in one variable

and use them to solve problems.
A.REI.11 Explain why the 𝑥-coordinates of the points where
the graphs of the equations 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) intersect
are the solutions of the equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥); find the
solutions approximately, e.g., using technology to graph the
functions, make tables of values, or find successive
approximations. Include cases where 𝑓(𝑥) and/or 𝑔(𝑥) are
linear, polynomial, rational, absolute value, exponential, and
logarithmic functions.
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Standards for Mathematical Practice

MP6
Attend to precision.
MP7
Look for and make use of structure.

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Lesson Goals

● Solve exponential equations in one variable.

● Solve exponential inequalities in one variable.

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Learn
Solving Exponential Equations

In an exponential equation, the independent variable is an

exponent.
Key Concept: Property of Equality for Exponential Equations
If 𝑏 > 0 and 𝑏 ≠ 1, then 𝑏 = 𝑏 if and only if 𝑥 = 𝑦.

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Learn
Solving Exponential Equations

Exponential equations can be solved algebraically or

by graphing a system of equations based on the
equation.
Equations of exponential functions can be used to
calculate compound interest. Compound interest is
paid on the principal of an investment and any
previously earned interest.

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Learn
Solving Exponential Equations

Key Concept: Compound Interest

You can calculate compound interest using the formula
𝐴 =𝑃 1+ , where 𝐴 is the amount in the account
after 𝑡 years, 𝑃 is the principal amount invested, 𝑟 is the
annual interest rate, and 𝑛 is the number of
compounding periods each year.

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Example 1
Solve Exponential Equations Algebraically

Solve each equation.

a. 𝟒𝟓𝒙 𝟏 = 𝟔𝟒𝟕
𝟏 𝟒𝒙 𝟏𝟔
b. = 𝟏𝟔𝟐𝒙 𝟓
𝟐

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Example 1
Solve Exponential Equations Algebraically

a. 𝟒𝟓𝒙 𝟏 = 𝟔𝟒𝟕

4 = 64 Original equation
4 = 4 Rewrite 64 as 4 .
4 =4 Power of a Power
5𝑥 + 1 = 21 Property of Equality for Exponential Equations
5𝑥 = 20 Subtract 1 from each side.
𝑥 =4 Divide each side by 5.

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Example 1
Solve Exponential Equations Algebraically
𝟏 𝟒𝒙 𝟏𝟔
b. = 𝟏𝟔𝟐𝒙 𝟓
𝟐

= 16 Original equation
2 = 2 = 2 , 16 = 2
2 =2 Power of a Power Property
−4𝑥 + 16 = 8𝑥 − 20 Property of Equality for Exponential Equations
−12𝑥 + 16 = −20 Subtract 8𝑥 from each side.
−12𝑥 = −36 Subtract 16 from each side.
𝑥 =3 Divide each side by −12.

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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
SUPER BOWL Since it began in 1966, the extremely high
viewership of the Super Bowl has led companies to pay
millions of dollars to advertise for just 30 seconds. The average
cost of a 30-second advertisement during the Super Bowl can
be approximately modeled by an exponential function where
the initial cost is $58,000 and the average cost increases by
9.9% each Super Bowl.
Part A Write an exponential function to represent the situation.
Part B Estimate during which Super Bowl the average cost of a
30-second ad first surpassed $1 million.
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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Part A Write an exponential function to represent
the situation.
Let C be the average cost of a 30-second ad and 𝑥 be
the number of the Super Bowl. The initial cost is
$58,000, or $0.058 million. The rate of change is
9.9%, or 0.099.
C = 𝑎(1 + 𝑟) Exponential function
= 0.058(1.099) 𝑎 = 0.58 and 𝑟 = 0.099

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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Part B Estimate during which Super Bowl the
average cost of a 30-second ad first
surpassed $1 million.
Step 1 Write a system.
To find when the average cost of an ad was $1 million,
let 𝐶 = 1. Then, set each side of 1 = 0.058(1.099)
equal to y to create a system of equations.

𝑦 = 1 First equation
𝑦 = 0.058(1.099) Second equation
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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Step 2 Graph the system.

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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Step 3 Find the intersection.
The solution is the 𝑥-coordinate of the point
of intersection, which is about 30.16.

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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Step 4 Interpret the solution.
According to our equation, the average cost of a 30-second
ad was $1 million when 𝑥 ≈ 30.16. This means that the
average cost was not yet $1 million during Super Bowl 30.
Therefore, it was during Super Bowl 31 that the average
cost of a 30-second ad first surpassed $1 million.

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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Step 5 Use a table.
You can use the TABLE feature to verify the
solution. Since the number of the Super Bowl
must be a whole number, use 1 as the interval.
Notice that when 𝑥 = 30, Y2 was still less than 1
and when 𝑥 = 31, it was more than 1. This
confirms that the average cost surpassed $1
million during Super Bowl 31.

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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Check
CARS The moment you drive a car off a dealer’s lot, it begins to
depreciate, or lose its value. In 2017, the average price of a new
pickup truck was $41,000. You can use an exponential function to
model the value of a pickup truck over time.
Part A If the value of a pickup truck depreciates by 9% per year,
write a function that represents the value of a new 2017 pickup truck
𝑦 after 𝑥 years.
Part B After how many years will a new 2017 pickup truck be worth
only $20,000? Round to the nearest tenth if necessary.
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Example 2
Solve an Exponential Equation by
Graphing
Check
CARS The moment you drive a car off a dealer’s lot, it begins to
depreciate, or lose its value. In 2017, the average price of a new
pickup truck was $41,000. You can use an exponential function to
model the value of a pickup truck over time.
Part A If the value of a pickup truck depreciates by 9% per year,
write a function that represents the value of a new 2017 pickup truck
𝑦 after 𝑥 years. 𝑦 = 41,000(0.91)
Part B After how many years will a new 2017 pickup truck be worth
only $20,000? Round to the nearest tenth if necessary. 7.6 years
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Example 3
Use the Compound Interest Formula

FINANCE Luciana deposits $1700 into a savings

account that pays 1.8% annual interest compounded
monthly. What will be the balance after 5 years?

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Example 3
Use the Compound Interest Formula

𝐴 =𝑃 1+ Compound Interest Formula

.
= 1700 1 + 𝑃 = 1700, 𝑟 = 0.018, 𝑛 = 12, and 𝑡 = 5
≈ 1859.97
Use a calculator.

After 5 years, there will be about $1859.97 in Luciana’s savings

account.

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Example 3
Use the Compound Interest Formula

Check
FINANCE If Aisha deposits $500 in a checking account
that pays 0.9% annual interest compounded twice a
month, what will be her account balance in 25 years?
Round to the nearest cent.

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Example 3
Use the Compound Interest Formula

Check
FINANCE If Aisha deposits $500 in a checking account
that pays 0.9% annual interest compounded twice a
month, what will be her account balance in 25 years?
Round to the nearest cent.
$ 626.13

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Learn
Solving Exponential Inequalities

An exponential inequality is an inequality in which the independent

variable is an exponent.
Key Concept: Property of Inequality for Exponential Equations
If 𝑏 > 1, then b > b if and only if 𝑥 > 𝑦, and b < b if and only if
𝑥 < 𝑦.

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Example 4
Solve Exponential Inequalities
Algebraically
Solve 27 ≥ 81 .

27 ≥ 81 Original inequality
(3 ) ≥ (3 ) 27 = 3 , 81 = 3
3 ≥3 Power of a Power
Property of Inequality for Exponential
6𝑥 + 18 ≥ 4𝑥 − 20
Equations

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Example 4
Solve Exponential Inequalities
Algebraically
Solve 27 ≥ 81 .

2𝑥 + 18 ≥ −20 Subtract 4𝑥 from each side.

2𝑥 ≥ −38 Subtract 18 from each side.
𝑥 ≥ −19 Divide each side by 2.

The solution set is 𝑥 𝑥 ≥ −19}.

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Example 4
Solve Exponential Inequalities
Algebraically
Check
Solve 125 ≤ 25 .

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Example 4
Solve Exponential Inequalities
Algebraically
Check
Solve 125 ≤ 25 .
𝑥 𝑥 ≥ 4 }.

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Exit Ticket

Solve each equation or inequality.

1. 7 =7
2. 2 =1

3. 81 9 =3

4. 4 ≤

5. 16 16 > 4096

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Exit Ticket

Solve each equation or inequality.

1. 7 =7 2
2. 2 =1

3. 81 9 =3 4

4. 4 ≤ 𝑥≤−
5. 16 16 > 4096 𝑥 < −3

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