Precalculus

Name ____________________
3.4 Notes-Part 1: Solve Exponential and Logarithmic Equations
Exponential equations: the variable expression occurs as the _____________.
If b is a positive number other than 1, then:

b x = b y if and only if ________________

Example: 3x = 35 if x=_______________.
Solve the following for x:
1.

! 1$
4x = # &
" 2%

(x 3)

2.

92x = 27

(x 1)

3.

(7 x +1) = 1000(3x 2)

100

When it is not convenient to write each side of an exponential equation using the same base, you
can solve by taking the logarithm of both sides of the equation and apply the power property.

4.

6x = 42

6.

(2x 5) = 5(x +1)

5.

7 x = 20

7.

3x = 5

(x 1)

3.4 Homework-Part 1
Solve the following for x:

(x 2) = 7.28

1.

2x = 30

3.

15.3 = 5

5.

16

7.

Seth looks at the equation 2401 = x 4 and decides to solve using logarithms. Tina
says this is not an exponential equation and she does not need to use logarithms to
solve. Who is correct? Solve for x.

(x 2)

(x 4) = 3 (3 x )

2.

4.

10

6.

(x +2) = 100 (2x 1)

(2x ) = 52 ( 4 x +3)