5.6 Exponential and Logarithmic Equations

Learning Outcomes

  • Use like bases to solve exponential equations.
  • Use logarithms to solve exponential equations.
  • Use the definition of a logarithm to solve logarithmic equations.
  • Use the one-to-one property of logarithms to solve logarithmic equations.
  • Solve applied problems involving exponential and logarithmic equations.
Seven rabbits in front of a brick building.

Figure 1. Wild rabbits in Australia. The rabbit population grew so quickly in Australia that the event became known as the “rabbit plague.” (credit: Richard Taylor, Flickr)

In 1859, an Australian landowner named Thomas Austin released 24 rabbits into the wild for hunting. Because Australia had few predators and ample food, the rabbit population exploded. In fewer than ten years, the rabbit population numbered in the millions.

Uncontrolled population growth, as in the wild rabbits in Australia, can be modeled with exponential functions. Equations resulting from those exponential functions can be solved to analyze and make predictions about exponential growth. In this section, we will learn techniques for solving exponential functions.

Use like bases to solve exponential equations

The first technique involves two functions with like bases. Recall that the one-to-one property of exponential functions tells us that, for any real numbers b, S, and T, where [latex]b>0,\text{ }b\ne 1[/latex], [latex]{b}^{S}={b}^{T}[/latex] if and only if S = T.

In other words, when an exponential equation has the same base on each side, the exponents must be equal. This also applies when the exponents are algebraic expressions. Therefore, we can solve many exponential equations by using the rules of exponents to rewrite each side as a power with the same base. Then, we use the fact that exponential functions are one-to-one to set the exponents equal to one another, and solve for the unknown.

For example, consider the equation [latex]{3}^{4x - 7}=\frac{{3}^{2x}}{3}[/latex]. To solve for x, we use the division property of exponents to rewrite the right side so that both sides have the common base, 3. Then we apply the one-to-one property of exponents by setting the exponents equal to one another and solving for x:

[latex]\begin{align}{3}^{4x - 7} & =\frac{{3}^{2x}}{3} \\ {3}^{4x - 7}& =\frac{{3}^{2x}}{{3}^{1}} && {\text{Rewrite 3 as 3}}^{1}.\\ {3}^{4x - 7}& ={3}^{2x - 1}&& \text{Use the division property of exponents.} \\ 4x - 7& =2x - 1 && \text{Apply the one-to-one property of exponents.} \\ 2x& =6 && \text{Subtract 2}x\text{ and add 7 to both sides.} \\ x & =3&& \text{Divide by 3.} \end{align}[/latex]

A General Note: Using the One-to-One Property of Exponential Functions to Solve Exponential Equations

For any algebraic expressions S and T, and any positive real number [latex]b\ne 1[/latex],

[latex]{b}^{S}={b}^{T}\text{ if and only if }S=T[/latex]

How To: Given an exponential equation with the form [latex]{b}^{S}={b}^{T}[/latex], where S and T are algebraic expressions with an unknown, solve for the unknown.

  1. Use the rules of exponents to simplify, if necessary, so that the resulting equation has the form [latex]{b}^{S}={b}^{T}[/latex].
  2. Use the one-to-one property to set the exponents equal.
  3. Solve the resulting equation, S = T, for the unknown.

Example 1: Solving an Exponential Equation with a Common Base

Solve [latex]{2}^{x - 1}={2}^{2x - 4}[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]{5}^{2x}={5}^{3x+2}[/latex].

Try It

Rewriting Equations So All Powers Have the Same Base

Sometimes the common base for an exponential equation is not explicitly shown. In these cases, we simply rewrite the terms in the equation as powers with a common base, and solve using the one-to-one property.

For example, consider the equation [latex]256={4}^{x - 5}[/latex]. We can rewrite both sides of this equation as a power of 2. Then we apply the rules of exponents, along with the one-to-one property, to solve for x:

[latex]\begin{align}256&={4}^{x - 5}\\ {2}^{8}&={\left({2}^{2}\right)}^{x - 5}&& \text{Rewrite each side as a power with base 2}. \\ {2}^{8}&={2}^{2x - 10}&& \text{Use the one-to-one property of exponents}.\\ 8&=2x - 10&& \text{Apply the one-to-one property of exponents}. \\ 18&=2x&& \text{Add 10 to both sides}. \\ x&=9&& \text{Divide by 2}. \end{align}[/latex]

How To: Given an exponential equation with unlike bases, use the one-to-one property to solve it.

  1. Rewrite each side in the equation as a power with a common base.
  2. Use the rules of exponents to simplify, if necessary, so that the resulting equation has the form [latex]{b}^{S}={b}^{T}[/latex].
  3. Use the one-to-one property to set the exponents equal.
  4. Solve the resulting equation, S = T, for the unknown.

Example 2: Solving Equations by Rewriting Them to Have a Common Base

Solve [latex]{8}^{x+2}={16}^{x+1}[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]{5}^{2x}={25}^{3x+2}[/latex].

Example 3: Solving Equations by Rewriting Roots with Fractional Exponents to Have a Common Base

Solve [latex]{2}^{5x}=\sqrt{2}[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]{5}^{x}=\sqrt{5}[/latex].

Try It

Q & A

Do all exponential equations have a solution? If not, how can we tell if there is a solution during the problem-solving process?

No. Recall that the range of an exponential function is always positive. While solving the equation, we may obtain an expression that is undefined.

Example 4: Solving an Equation with Positive and Negative Powers

Solve [latex]{3}^{x+1}=-2[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]{2}^{x}=-100[/latex].

 Use logarithms to solve exponential equations

Sometimes the terms of an exponential equation cannot be rewritten with a common base. In these cases, we solve by taking the logarithm of each side. Recall, since [latex]\mathrm{log}\left(a\right)=\mathrm{log}\left(b\right)[/latex] is equivalent to a = b, we may apply logarithms with the same base on both sides of an exponential equation.

How To: Given an exponential equation in which a common base cannot be found, solve for the unknown.

  1. Apply the logarithm of both sides of the equation.
    • If one of the terms in the equation has base 10, use the common logarithm.
    • If none of the terms in the equation has base 10, use the natural logarithm.
  2. Use the rules of logarithms to solve for the unknown.

Example 5: Solving an Equation Containing Powers of Different Bases

Solve [latex]{5}^{x+2}={4}^{x}[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]{2}^{x}={3}^{x+1}[/latex].

Try It

Q & A

Is there any way to solve [latex]{2}^{x}={3}^{x}[/latex]?

Yes. The solution is x = 0.

Equations Containing [latex]e[/latex]

One common type of exponential equations are those with base e. This constant occurs again and again in nature, in mathematics, in science, in engineering, and in finance. When we have an equation with a base e on either side, we can use the natural logarithm to solve it.

How To: Given an equation of the form [latex]y=A{e}^{kt}[/latex], solve for t.

  1. Divide both sides of the equation by A.
  2. Apply the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation.
  3. Divide both sides of the equation by k.

Example 6: Solve an Equation of the Form [latex]y=A{e}^{kt}[/latex]

Solve [latex]100=20{e}^{2t}[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]3{e}^{0.5t}=11[/latex].

Q & A

Does every equation of the form [latex]y=A{e}^{kt}[/latex] have a solution?

No. There is a solution when [latex]k\ne 0[/latex], and when y and A are either both 0 or neither 0, and they have the same sign. An example of an equation with this form that has no solution is [latex]2=-3{e}^{t}[/latex].

Example 7: Solving an Equation That Can Be Simplified to the Form [latex]y=A{e}^{kt}[/latex]

Solve [latex]4{e}^{2x}+5=12[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]3+{e}^{2t}=7{e}^{2t}[/latex].

Extraneous Solutions

Sometimes the methods used to solve an equation introduce an extraneous solution, which is a solution that is correct algebraically but does not satisfy the conditions of the original equation. One such situation arises in solving when the logarithm is taken on both sides of the equation. In such cases, remember that the argument of the logarithm must be positive. If the number we are evaluating in a logarithm function is negative, there is no output.

Example 8: Solving Exponential Functions in Quadratic Form

Solve [latex]{e}^{2x}-{e}^{x}=56[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]{e}^{2x}={e}^{x}+2[/latex].

Q & A

Does every logarithmic equation have a solution?

No. Keep in mind that we can only apply the logarithm to a positive number. Always check for extraneous solutions.

 Use the definition of a logarithm to solve logarithmic equations

We have already seen that every logarithmic equation [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(x\right)=y[/latex] is equivalent to the exponential equation [latex]{b}^{y}=x[/latex]. We can use this fact, along with the rules of logarithms, to solve logarithmic equations where the argument is an algebraic expression.

For example, consider the equation [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(2\right)+{\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(3x - 5\right)=3[/latex]. To solve this equation, we can use rules of logarithms to rewrite the left side in compact form and then apply the definition of logs to solve for x:

[latex]\begin{gathered}{\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(2\right)+{\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(3x - 5\right)=3 \\ {\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(2\left(3x - 5\right)\right)=3 \\ {\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(6x - 10\right)=3\\ {2}^{3}=6x - 10 \\ 8=6x - 10\\ 18=6x\\ x=3 \end{gathered} \begin{align}\text{ } \\ &\text{Apply the product rule of logarithms}. \\&\text{Distribute}. \\&\text{Apply the definition of a logarithm}. \\&\text{Calculate }{2}^{3}. \\&\text{Add 10 to both sides}. \\&\text{Divide by 6}.\end{align} [/latex]

A General Note: Using the Definition of a Logarithm to Solve Logarithmic Equations

For any algebraic expression S and real numbers b and c, where [latex]b>0,\text{ }b\ne 1[/latex],

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(S\right)=c\text{if and only if}{b}^{c}=S[/latex]

Example 9: Using Algebra to Solve a Logarithmic Equation

Solve [latex]2\mathrm{ln}x+3=7[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]6+\mathrm{ln}x=10[/latex].

Try It

Example 10: Using Algebra Before and After Using the Definition of the Natural Logarithm

Solve [latex]2\mathrm{ln}\left(6x\right)=7[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]2\mathrm{ln}\left(x+1\right)=10[/latex].

Try It

Example 11: Using a Graph to Understand the Solution to a Logarithmic Equation

Solve [latex]\mathrm{ln}x=3[/latex].

 

Try It

Use a graphing calculator to estimate the approximate solution to the logarithmic equation [latex]{2}^{x}=1000[/latex] to 2 decimal places.

 Use the one-to-one property of logarithms to solve logarithmic equations

As with exponential equations, we can use the one-to-one property to solve logarithmic equations. The one-to-one property of logarithmic functions tells us that, for any real numbers x > 0, S > 0, T > 0 and any positive real number b, where [latex]b\ne 1[/latex],

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\mathrm{log}}_{b}T\text{ if and only if }S=T[/latex].

For example,

[latex]\text{If }{\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(x - 1\right)={\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(8\right),\text{then }x - 1=8[/latex].

So, if [latex]x - 1=8[/latex], then we can solve for x, and we get x = 9. To check, we can substitute x = 9 into the original equation: [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(9 - 1\right)={\mathrm{log}}_{2}\left(8\right)=3[/latex]. In other words, when a logarithmic equation has the same base on each side, the arguments must be equal. This also applies when the arguments are algebraic expressions. Therefore, when given an equation with logs of the same base on each side, we can use rules of logarithms to rewrite each side as a single logarithm. Then we use the fact that logarithmic functions are one-to-one to set the arguments equal to one another and solve for the unknown.

For example, consider the equation [latex]\mathrm{log}\left(3x - 2\right)-\mathrm{log}\left(2\right)=\mathrm{log}\left(x+4\right)[/latex]. To solve this equation, we can use the rules of logarithms to rewrite the left side as a single logarithm, and then apply the one-to-one property to solve for x:

[latex]\begin{align}\mathrm{log}\left(3x - 2\right)-\mathrm{log}\left(2\right)&=\mathrm{log}\left(x+4\right) \\ \mathrm{log}\left(\frac{3x - 2}{2}\right)&=\mathrm{log}\left(x+4\right) &&\text{Apply the quotient rule of logarithms.}\\ \frac{3x - 2}{2}&=x+4 &&\text{Apply the one to one property of a logarithm}. \\ 3x - 2&=2x+8 && \text{Multiply by 2.}\\ x&=10 &&\text{Subtract 2}x\text{ and add 2}. \end{align}[/latex]

To check the result, substitute x = 10 into [latex]\mathrm{log}\left(3x - 2\right)-\mathrm{log}\left(2\right)=\mathrm{log}\left(x+4\right)[/latex].

[latex]\begin{align}\mathrm{log}\left(3\left(10\right)-2\right)-\mathrm{log}\left(2\right)&=\mathrm{log}\left(\left(10\right)+4\right)\\ \mathrm{log}\left(28\right)-\mathrm{log}\left(2\right)&=\mathrm{log}\left(14\right) \\ \mathrm{log}\left(\frac{28}{2}\right)&=\mathrm{log}\left(14\right) && \text{The solution checks}.\end{align}[/latex]

A General Note: Using the One-to-One Property of Logarithms to Solve Logarithmic Equations

For any algebraic expressions S and T and any positive real number b, where [latex]b\ne 1[/latex],

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\mathrm{log}}_{b}T\text{ if and only if }S=T[/latex]

Note, when solving an equation involving logarithms, always check to see if the answer is correct or if it is an extraneous solution.

How To: Given an equation containing logarithms, solve it using the one-to-one property.

  1. Use the rules of logarithms to combine like terms, if necessary, so that the resulting equation has the form [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\mathrm{log}}_{b}T[/latex].
  2. Use the one-to-one property to set the arguments equal.
  3. Solve the resulting equation, S = T, for the unknown.

Example 12: Solving an Equation Using the One-to-One Property of Logarithms

Solve [latex]\mathrm{ln}\left({x}^{2}\right)=\mathrm{ln}\left(2x+3\right)[/latex].

Try It

Solve [latex]\mathrm{ln}\left({x}^{2}\right)=\mathrm{ln}1[/latex].

Try It

 Solve applied problems involving exponential and logarithmic equations

In previous sections, we learned the properties and rules for both exponential and logarithmic functions. We have seen that any exponential function can be written as a logarithmic function and vice versa. We have used exponents to solve logarithmic equations and logarithms to solve exponential equations. We are now ready to combine our skills to solve equations that model real-world situations, whether the unknown is in an exponent or in the argument of a logarithm.

One such application is in science, in calculating the time it takes for half of the unstable material in a sample of a radioactive substance to decay, called its half-life. The table below lists the half-life for several of the more common radioactive substances.

Substance Use Half-life
gallium-67 nuclear medicine 80 hours
cobalt-60 manufacturing 5.3 years
technetium-99m nuclear medicine 6 hours
americium-241 construction 432 years
carbon-14 archeological dating 5,715 years
uranium-235 atomic power 703,800,000 years

We can see how widely the half-lives for these substances vary. Knowing the half-life of a substance allows us to calculate the amount remaining after a specified time. We can use the formula for radioactive decay:

[latex]\begin{align}&A\left(t\right)={A}_{0}{e}^{\frac{\mathrm{ln}\left(0.5\right)}{T}t} \\ &A\left(t\right)={A}_{0}{e}^{\mathrm{ln}\left(0.5\right)\frac{t}{T}} \\ &A\left(t\right)={A}_{0}{\left({e}^{\mathrm{ln}\left(0.5\right)}\right)}^{\frac{t}{T}} \\ &A\left(t\right)={A}_{0}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)}^{\frac{t}{T}} \end{align}[/latex]

where

  • [latex]{A}_{0}[/latex] is the amount initially present
  • T is the half-life of the substance
  • t is the time period over which the substance is studied
  • y is the amount of the substance present after time t

Example 13: Using the Formula for Radioactive Decay to Find the Quantity of a Substance

How long will it take for ten percent of a 1000-gram sample of uranium-235 to decay?

Try It

How long will it take before twenty percent of our 1000-gram sample of uranium-235 has decayed?

Key Equations

One-to-one property for exponential functions For any algebraic expressions S and T and any positive real number b, where[latex]{b}^{S}={b}^{T}[/latex] if and only if S = T.
Definition of a logarithm For any algebraic expression S and positive real numbers b and c, where [latex]b\ne 1[/latex],[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(S\right)=c[/latex] if and only if [latex]{b}^{c}=S[/latex].
One-to-one property for logarithmic functions For any algebraic expressions S and T and any positive real number b, where [latex]b\ne 1[/latex],

[latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\mathrm{log}}_{b}T[/latex] if and only if S = T.

Key Concepts

  • We can solve many exponential equations by using the rules of exponents to rewrite each side as a power with the same base. Then we use the fact that exponential functions are one-to-one to set the exponents equal to one another and solve for the unknown.
  • When we are given an exponential equation where the bases are explicitly shown as being equal, set the exponents equal to one another and solve for the unknown.
  • When we are given an exponential equation where the bases are not explicitly shown as being equal, rewrite each side of the equation as powers of the same base, then set the exponents equal to one another and solve for the unknown.
  • When an exponential equation cannot be rewritten with a common base, solve by taking the logarithm of each side.
  • We can solve exponential equations with base e, by applying the natural logarithm of both sides because exponential and logarithmic functions are inverses of each other.
  • After solving an exponential equation, check each solution in the original equation to find and eliminate any extraneous solutions.
  • When given an equation of the form [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(S\right)=c[/latex], where S is an algebraic expression, we can use the definition of a logarithm to rewrite the equation as the equivalent exponential equation [latex]{b}^{c}=S[/latex], and solve for the unknown.
  • We can also use graphing to solve equations with the form [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(S\right)=c[/latex]. We graph both equations [latex]y={\mathrm{log}}_{b}\left(S\right)[/latex] and y = c on the same coordinate plane and identify the solution as the x-value of the intersecting point.
  • When given an equation of the form [latex]{\mathrm{log}}_{b}S={\mathrm{log}}_{b}T[/latex], where S and T are algebraic expressions, we can use the one-to-one property of logarithms to solve the equation S = T for the unknown.
  • Combining the skills learned in this and previous sections, we can solve equations that model real world situations, whether the unknown is in an exponent or in the argument of a logarithm.

Glossary

extraneous solution
a solution introduced while solving an equation that does not satisfy the conditions of the original equation