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Solving Exponential & Logarithmic Equations

This document discusses techniques for solving exponential and logarithmic equations. It provides properties for solving equations with the same base, such as if logx = logy then x = y. It also discusses cancellation laws, such as loga(ax) = x, that allow transforming equations to be solved using basic algebra. Two examples are given for each type of equation to demonstrate the techniques. The document emphasizes using common bases, especially the natural log e, to more easily solve such equations.

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455 views2 pages

Solving Exponential & Logarithmic Equations

This document discusses techniques for solving exponential and logarithmic equations. It provides properties for solving equations with the same base, such as if logx = logy then x = y. It also discusses cancellation laws, such as loga(ax) = x, that allow transforming equations to be solved using basic algebra. Two examples are given for each type of equation to demonstrate the techniques. The document emphasizes using common bases, especially the natural log e, to more easily solve such equations.

Uploaded by

nooluoit
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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

SOLVING EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC

EQUATIONS
SOLVING EQUATIONS WITH THE SAME BASE
To solve an exponential equation, the following property is sometimes helpful:
If a > 0 , a 1 , and

a x = a y , then x = y.

Similarly, we have the following property for logarithms:


If

log x = log y , then x = y .

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Example: Solve log3 (5 x 6) = log3 ( x + 2) for x:
Solution:
log3 (5 x 6) = log3 ( x + 2)
5x 6 = x + 2
5x x = 2 + 6
4x = 8
x=2
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Example: Solve 2 x +1 = 8 for x.
Solution: Here, the bases are not the same, but we find that we are able to manipulate the
right-hand side to make the bases the same.
2 x +1 = 8

2 x +1 = 2 3
x +1 = 3
x=2
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CANCELLATION LAWS
Since the exponential and logarithmic functions are inverse functions, cancellation laws
apply to give:
log a (a x ) = x for all real numbers x

a log a x = x for all x > 0

We know that e is the most convenient base to work with for exponential and logarithmic
functions. The same cancellation laws apply for the natural exponential and the natural
logarithm:

ln(e x ) = x

for all real numbers x

e ln x = x

for all x > 0

These last two cancellation laws will be especially useful if you study calculus. To solve
a simple exponential equation, you can take the natural logarithm of both sides.
(Technically, you can take the logarithm with any base, but the natural log is often the
easiest.) Similarly, to solve a simple logarithmic equation, you can take the natural
exponential of both sides. At this point, the equation can be solved using basic algebra.
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Example: Solve e 2 x = 8 for x.
Solution:

e2x = 8
ln(e 2 x ) = ln(8)
2 x = ln(8)
x=

ln(8)
2

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Example: Solve ln( x + 5) = 4 for x.
Solution:

ln( x + 5) = 4
e ln( x +5 ) = e 4
x + 5 = e4
x = e4 5

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