LESSON 6: EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

LESSON 6.1: SOLVING EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

1. recall the laws of exponents;
2. determine the One-to-One Property of Exponential Functions; and
3. solve exponential equations and inequalities.

REVIEW OF LAWS OF EXPONENTS

Let 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑚, and 𝑛 be any positive integer, 𝑏 ≠ 0.

Name of Rule Rule Explanation Example

Product Rule 𝑎𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛 To multiply two 23 ⋅ 24 = 23+4 = 27
exponents with the 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥5 = 𝑥6
same base, you keep 𝑦 4 ∙ 𝑦 9 = 𝑦 13
the base and add the
powers.
Quotient Rule 𝑎𝑚 To divide two 25
= 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 exponents with the = 25−3 = 22 = 4
𝑎𝑛 23
same base, you keep
the base and subtract 𝑥5
= 𝑥2
the powers. Shortcut: 𝑥3
when subtracting the 𝑦4 1
powers, put the 9 = 5
𝑦 𝑦
answer in the
numerator or 𝑥3𝑦2 𝑥
=
denominator 𝑥2𝑦5 𝑦3
depending on where
the higher power was
located. If the higher
power is in the
denominator, place
the difference in the
denominator and vice
versa, this will help
avoid negative
exponents.
Power of a (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 To raise a power to a (23 )2 = 2(3𝑥2) = 26 = 64
Power power you need to
multiply the (𝑥 5 )4 = 𝑥 20
exponents.

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 (2𝑥 4 𝑦 2 )3 = 23 𝑥 12 𝑦 6
= 8𝑥 12 𝑦 6
4
𝑥2 𝑥4
( 5 ) = 20
𝑦 𝑦
Power of a (𝑎𝑏)𝑚 = 𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑚 When a product is (2𝑥 2 𝑦)3 = 23 𝑥 6 𝑦 3 = 8𝑥 6 𝑦 3
Product raised to a power,
raise each factor to the
power.
Power of a 𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚 When a quotient is 3𝑥 2 𝑦 3
2
9𝑥 4 𝑦 6
Quotient ( ) = 𝑚 raised to a power, ( ) =
𝑏 𝑏 2 4
raise the numerator
and the denominator
to the power.
Zero-Exponent 𝑎0 = 1 Any number raised to 50 = 1
Rule the zero power is
1000 = 1
equal to 1.
(5𝑥 3 𝑦 4 )0 = 1
Negative 1 The number with 1 1
(𝑎)−𝑚 = 2−3 = =
Exponent Rule 𝑎𝑚 negative exponents in 23 8
the numerator or 4
denominator will be 4𝑥 −2 = 2
𝑥
moved to the
denominator or 𝑥 −3 𝑦 7
=
numerator, 𝑦 −7 𝑥 3
accordingly. Only then
will the negative
exponents become
positive. Only move
the number with
negative exponents.

EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS

An equation that involves the expression 𝑏 𝑥 is an exponential equation, where 𝑏 is

the base of any real number greater than 0 but not equal to 1, and 𝑥 is a variable as the
exponent.
This lesson focuses on the exponential equations where the bases of both sides of the
equation can be expressed as the same base. These exponential equations can be solved by
using the fact that exponential functions are one-to-one. The One-to-One Property of
Exponential Functions is defined as follows:

One-to-One Property of Exponential Functions

If 𝑥 ≠ 𝑦, then 𝑏 𝑥 ≠ 𝑏 𝑦 . Conversely, if 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑏 𝑦 , then 𝑥 = 𝑦.

This property simply states that if the bases of both sides of the equation are equal,
then their corresponding exponents are also equal, and vice versa.

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 One strategy to solve exponential equations is to write both sides of the equation as
powers of the same base, if possible, by applying the law of exponent. Then use the One-to-
one property of exponential functions.

EXAMPLE 1. Solve equation 4𝑥−1 = 16.

Solution. 4 and 16 can be written using 4 as the base.

4𝑥−1 = 16
4𝑥−1 = 42

Based on the one-to-one property of exponential functions, when bases of both sides of the
equation are equal, exponents are also equal, so equate the exponents. And solve for 𝑥.

𝑥−1 =2
𝑥=3

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

4𝑥−1 = 16
(22 )𝑥−1 = 24 (Expressing both sides with 2 as a
base)
22𝑥−2 = 24 (Apply Power of a Power)
2𝑥 − 2 = 4 (Equate the exponents)
2𝑥 = 6 (Solve for 𝑥)
𝑥=3
You can verify that 𝑥 = 3 is a solution by substituting it back to the original equation: 43−1 =
42 = 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 2. Solve the equation 125𝑥−1 = 25𝑥+3 .

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

125𝑥−1 = 25𝑥+3
(53 )𝑥−1 = (52 )𝑥+3 (Expressing both sides with base of 5)
53𝑥−3 = 52𝑥+6 (Apply Power of a Power)
3𝑥 − 3 = 2𝑥 + 6 (Equate the exponents)
3𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 6 + 3 (Solve for 𝑥)
𝑥=9

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Thus, the solution is 𝑥 = 9.

1 𝑥+2
EXAMPLE 3. Solve the equation 23𝑥−1 = ( ) .
4
1
Solution. can be written using 2 as the base by applying the law of exponent, the Negative
4
Exponent Rule.
1 𝑥+2
23𝑥−1 = ( )
4

23𝑥−1 = (2−2 )𝑥+2 (Expressing both sides with 2 as a

base)
23𝑥−1 = 2−2𝑥−4 (Apply Power of a Power)
3𝑥 − 1 = −2𝑥 − 4 (Equate the exponents)
3𝑥 + 2𝑥 = −4 + 1 (Solve for 𝑥)
5𝑥 = −3
3
𝑥=−
5

3
Thus, the solution is 𝑥 = − .
5

EXPONENTIAL INEQUALITIES

An inequality that involves the expression 𝑏 𝑥 is an exponential inequality, where 𝑏 is

the base of any real number greater than 0 but not equal to 1, and 𝑥 is a variable as the
exponent.

Exponential inequalities can be solved using the following property.

Property of Exponential Inequalities

• If 𝑏 > 1, then the exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥 is increasing. This means that

𝑏 𝑥 < 𝑏 𝑦 if and only if 𝑥 < 𝑦.

• If 0 < 𝑏 < 1, then the exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥 is decreasing. This means that
𝑏 𝑥 > 𝑏 𝑦 if and only if 𝑥 < 𝑦.

Be careful when solving exponential inequalities such as 𝑏 𝑥 < 𝑏 𝑦 . The resulting

direction of the inequality (𝑥 < 𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 > 𝑦) is based on whether the base 𝑏 is greater than 1
or less than 1. If the base is greater than 1, the direction of the inequality sign is retained. If
the base is between 0 and 1, the direction of the inequality sign is reversed.

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EXAMPLE 4. Solve the inequality 3𝑥 < 9𝑥−2 .

Solution. Both 9 and 3 can be written using 3 as the base.

3𝑥 < 9𝑥−2
3𝑥 < (32 )𝑥−2 (Express both sides with 3 as a base)
3𝑥 < 32𝑥−4 (Apply Power of a Power)

Since the base 3 is greater than 1, then the direction of the inequality sign is retained.

𝑥 < 2𝑥 − 4 (Solve for 𝑥 in the exponents)

4 < 2𝑥 − 𝑥
4<𝑥
𝑥>4 (When interchanging quantities on
both sides, the direction of the
inequality sign follows)

Thus, the solution set is 𝑥 > 4 or (4, +∞).

EXAMPLE 5. Solve the inequality 42𝑥+7 ≤ 322𝑥−3 .

Solution. Both 4 and 32 can be written using 2 as the base.

42𝑥+7 ≤ 322𝑥−3
(22 )2𝑥+7 ≤ (25 )2𝑥−3 (Express both sides with 2 as a base)
24𝑥+14 ≤ 210𝑥−15 (Apply Power of a Power)

Since the base 2 is greater than 1, then the direction of the inequality is retained.

4𝑥 + 14 ≤ 10𝑥 − 15 (Solve for 𝑥 in the exponents)

14 + 15 ≤ 10𝑥 − 4𝑥
29 ≤ 6𝑥
29
≤𝑥
6
29
𝑥≥ (When interchanging quantities on
6
both sides, the direction of the
inequality sign follows)

29 29
Thus, the solution set is 𝑥 ≥ or ( , +∞).
6 6

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 1 𝑥+5 1 3𝑥
EXAMPLE 6. Solve the inequality ( ) ≥( ) .
10 100

1 1 2 1
Solution. Since = ( ) , then we write both sides of the inequality with as the base.
10 10 10

1 𝑥+5 1 3𝑥
( ) ≥( )
10 100
3𝑥
1 𝑥+5 1 2 1
( ) ≥ [( ) ] (Express both sides with as a base)
10 10 10

1 𝑥+5 1 6𝑥
( ) ≥( ) (Apply Power of a Power)
10 10

1
Since the base is less than 1, then the direction of the inequality sign is reversed.
10

𝑥 + 5 ≤ 6𝑥 (Solve for 𝑥 in the variable)

5 ≤ 6𝑥 − 𝑥
5 ≤ 5𝑥
1≤𝑥
𝑥≥1 (When interchanging quantities on
both sides, the direction of the
inequality sign follows)

Thus, the solution set is 𝑥 ≥ 1 or [1, +∞).

1 𝑥−2
EXAMPLE 7. Solve the inequality ( ) < 322𝑥 .
64
1
Solution. and 32 can be written using 2 as the base.
64

1 𝑥−2
( ) < 322𝑥
64

(2−6 )𝑥−2 < (25 )2𝑥 (Negative Exponent Rule is used)

2−6𝑥+12 < 210𝑥 (Apply Power of a Power)

Since the base 2 is greater than 1, then the direction of the inequality sign is retained.

−6𝑥 + 12 < 10𝑥 (Solve for 𝑥 in the exponents)

−6𝑥 − 10𝑥 < −12
−16𝑥 −12
<
−16 −16

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 3
𝑥> (The inequality sign at the final
4
answer is reversed because of the rule
that in dividing an inequality with a
negative number, the direction of the
inequality sign is reversed)

3 3
Thus, the solution set is 𝑥 > or ( , +∞).
4 4

SUPPLEMENTARY VIDEOS

Solving Exponential Equations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6f6dANVyxA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHGykhbY9no
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4civ8PS-IM

Solving Exponential Inequalities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulCF3Z_YDm0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV1mUjnrGY4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YJf7yXc3eQ

REFERENCES

General Mathematics, Teaching Guide for Senior High School, Crisologo, L., et.al. (2016),
Publish by Commission on Higher Education
General Mathematics, Gutierrez, M., et.al., (2019), Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
General Mathematics, Dimasuay, L., et.al., (2016), C&E Publishing, Inc.

https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/exponent-laws.html
https://www.rapidtables.com/math/number/exponent.html
https://www.mesacc.edu/~scotz47781/mat120/notes/exponents/review/review.html
https://archive.org/stream/College_Algebra_Ninth_Edition/College_Algebra_Ninth_Edition_
djvu.txt
https://edoc.pub/general-math-lm-for-shs-5-pdf-free.html

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ASSESSING LEARNING

ACTIVITY 1

Direction: Find the solution of the following exponential equations.

1
1. 8𝑥+3 = 6. 4𝑥+3 = 82𝑥−3
16

1 2𝑥
2. ( ) = 23−𝑥 7. 162𝑥−3 = 4𝑥+2
2

3. 35𝑥 = 272𝑥−4 8. 42𝑥+7 = 322𝑥−3

4. 43𝑥+1 = 8𝑥−1 9. 7𝑥+4 = 492𝑥−1

2
5. 93𝑥 = 272𝑥+1 10. 9𝑥 = 3𝑥+3

ACTIVITY 2

Direction: Find the solution set of the following exponential inequalities.

1 𝑦+2
1. 25𝑦−3 ≤ ( ) 6. 42𝑥+7 ≤ 322𝑥−3
125
2
2 5𝑥+2 3 2𝑥 1 𝑥 +1 1 𝑥+2
2. ( ) >( ) 7. ( ) >( )
3 2 3 9

1 −𝑥
3. ( ) > 272𝑥+1 8. 162𝑥−3 < 8
3

1
4. 3𝑥+3 < 815+𝑥 9. 2𝑥+2 >
32

1 3−2𝑥
5. ( ) < 8−𝑥 10. 625 ≥ 5𝑥+8
4

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