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Solving Exponential Equations

This document discusses how to solve exponential equations using the one-to-one property of exponential functions. It explains that exponential functions have a one-to-one property where each input x value gives a unique output y value. This means that exponential equations can only have one solution. The steps provided are to rewrite both sides of the equation with the same base, set the exponents equal, and solve for the variable. Three examples demonstrating this process are included.

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jian.rycc
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30 views

Solving Exponential Equations

This document discusses how to solve exponential equations using the one-to-one property of exponential functions. It explains that exponential functions have a one-to-one property where each input x value gives a unique output y value. This means that exponential equations can only have one solution. The steps provided are to rewrite both sides of the equation with the same base, set the exponents equal, and solve for the variable. Three examples demonstrating this process are included.

Uploaded by

jian.rycc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

some exponential equations can be solved by using the fact that exponential functions have a one-to-
one property which means each input, x value gives one unique output, y value. each x gives only one
y, and each y gives only one x. this means exponential equations have only one solution.

➡ one-to-one property of exponential function

bx1 = bx2 , x1 = x2

to solve an exponential equation using the one-to-one property:

1. rewrite both sides of the equation as an exponential expression with the same base.

2. since the base are equal, then the exponents must be equal. set the exponents equal to each other
and solve.

3. check your solution.

Solve an Exponential Equation using the One-to-One Property

example 1: Solve 3x+2 = 27x


Solution. Rewrite both sides of the equation as exponential functions with the same base. The right
side is 27 which can be written as 33 using base 3 like the left side of the equation is.
3x+2 = (33 )x
3x+2 = 33x
Since the bases are equal, then the exponents must also be equal. So rewrite an equation using the
exponents. Then solve the equation.
x + 2 = 3x
2 = 2x
1=x
Notice that when you check the answer by plugging in x = 1, both sides equal 27. Thus 1 is a good
solution.
3x+2 = 27x
31+2 = 27(1)
33 = 27
27 = 27

example 2: Solve the equation 4x −1 = 16.

SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS 1


Solution. We write both sides with 4 as the base.

4x −1 = 16 Write the original Equation


x −1
4 = 42 Rewrite each power with a base of 𝟒

x −1 = 2 One − to − one Property

x =2+1 Property of Equality

x=3 Solve for x.

Alternate Solution. We can also write both sides with 2 as the base.

4 x−1 = 16 Write the original Equation

Rewrite each power with a


(2 2 )x−1 = 2 4
base of 2

2 2(x−1) = 2 4
2(x − 1) = 4 One − to − one Property

2x − 2 = 4 Property of Equality

2x = 4 + 2 Solve for x.

2x = 6
x=3

You can verify that x = 3 is a solution by substituting it back to the original equation:
4x−1 = 16
43−1 = 16
42 = 16
16 = 16
This example shows that there may be more than one way to solve an exponential equation. The
important thing is to write both sides using the same base.

example 3: solve the equation 125x−1 = 25x+3


Solution. Both 125 and 25 can be written using 5 as the base.

125 x−1 = 25 x+3 Write the original Equation


3 x−1 2 x+3
(5 ) = (5 ) Rewrite each power with a base of 𝟓

5 3(x−1) = 5 2(x+3)
3(x−1) = 2(x + 3) One − to − one Property

3x−3 = 2x + 6 Property of Equality

x=9 Solve for x.

SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS 2

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