Algebra 2 Summary of Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 1

There are a number of strategies that can be used to solve exponential and
logarithmic equations. We could always graph the equation and use the table
feature of the graphing calculator to find the solution. We will concentrate on how
to accomplish this algebraically instead.

Steps for Strategy #1

a. Write both sides of the equation in terms of the same base.
b. Set the exponents equal.
c. Solve.

Example 1:
a. 64 = 8 x-2 b. 5 4-t = 25 t-1

c. 8x = (1/4) d. 252x = 125

e. (1/4)x = 64
 Algebra 2 Summary of Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 2

Strategy #2: All of the preceding examples could have been solved using
logs by taking the logarithm of both sides, whether common
or natural.

Let’s redo one of the examples…the easiest one.

2x = 32
log 2x = log 32
x log 2 = log 32
x = log 32/log 2 = 1.505/.3010 = 5

Example 2: Solve by taking the logarithm of both sides.

a. 32t = 5 b. 5 4-t = 25 t-1 using natural logs

c. 8x = (1/4) d. 252x = 125

Some Equations come to us with logs already in them….

The most simplistic…
Log 3 x = 4 Rewrite in exponent form… 34 = x and x = 81.

Example 3: Solve.

a. logx (8/27) = 3 b. log 3 (5x – 1) = log 3 (x + 7)

c. log a x = 2log a 3 + log a 5(condense right side)

Algebra 2 Summary of Solving Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 3

5 493 =x
493 = x
1/5

log 493 1/5 = log x

1/5 log 493 = log x
1/5 (2.6928) = log x
.5386 = log x

Find the inverse of log x (called “antilog”) by using the 2 function of the
nd

calculator.
.5386 2nd log and get 3.456 for x.

Real life situations often involve logs in their formulas, as we have seen earlier.

Example 4: The magnitude (M) of an earthquake that releases energy (E) in ergs
can be modeled by M = .291 ln E + 1.17.

A powerful earthquake in Chile in 1960 had magnitude of 9.5. How

much energy did it release???

The formula for continuously compounding interest is A = Pert.

Example 5: How long will it take an investment to triple in an account that pays
8.5%, compounded continuously?