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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.
Example 1:
a. 64 = 8 x-2 b. 5 4-t = 25 t-1
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.
2x = 32
log 2x = log 32
x log 2 = log 32
x = log 32/log 2 = 1.505/.3010 = 5
Example 3: Solve.
5 493 =x
493 = x
1/5
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.
Example 5: How long will it take an investment to triple in an account that pays
8.5%, compounded continuously?