MATF 150 EXPONENTIAL EQUATIONS PAST PAPERS

Prepared by MA HENDRICKS e-tutor 2022

JAN 2016 QUESTION 1.2

Solve for x: 2 x+1 + 23− x = 17 (4)
2 x +1 + 23− x = 17
1
 2 x  2 + 23  = 17
2x
let 2 x = k
8
 2k + = 17
k
 2k 2 + 8 = 17 k
 2k 2 − 17 k + 8 = 0
 (2k − 1)k − 8) = 0
1
 k= or k =8
2
1
 2x = = 2−1 or 2 x = 8 = 23
2
 x = −1 or x = 3
NOV 2015 Question 6.2
Solve for x: e2 x − 5e x + 6 = 0 Leave the answer in logarithmic form (5)
e 2 x − 5e x + 6 = 0
let e x = k
 k 2 − 5k + 6 = 0
 (k − 3)k − 2) = 0
 k =3 or k =2
 ex = 3 or e x = 2
 x = ln 3 or x = ln 2