6.

5
Solving Exponential Equations

How can you solve an exponential equation algebraically?

1. Students will be able to solve exponential equations

with the same base.

2. Students will be able to solve exponential equations

with unlike bases.
1. Students will be able to solve exponential equations with the
same base.
 
Solving Exponential Equations with the Same Base

Property of Equality for Exponential Equations

Two powers with the same positive base b, where , are equal if and
only if their exponents are equal.
If , then .
If and , then if and only if .
 1. Students will be able to solve exponential equations with the
same base.
Solving Exponential Equations with the Same Base

Solve each equation

     

Since the bases are the Since the bases are the Since the bases are the
same the exponents same the exponents same the exponents
must equal each other. must equal each other. must equal each other.
 You Try!!

Solve each equation

     

1 1
 2. Students will be able to solve exponential equations with unlike
bases.
Solving Exponential Equations with Unlike Bases

To solve some exponential equations, you must first rewrite each side
of the equation using the same base.
     

Since the bases are not Since the bases are not Since the bases are not
the same can you write the same can you write 4 the same can you write 9
125 as some power of 5? as some power of 2? and 27 as the power of
the same number?
Powers of 3!
 You Try!!

Solve each equation

     
 2. Students will be able to solve exponential equations with unlike
bases.
More Solving Exponential Equations with Unlike Bases

To solve some exponential equations, you must first rewrite each side
of the equation using the same base.
   
   
Since the bases are not Since the bases are not
the same can you write the same can you write 4
and 4 as the power of the and as the power of the
same number? same number?
Powers of 2! Powers of 4!
You Try!!

Solve the equation

 
Let’s Review
1. Students will be able to solve exponential equations with the same base.
• This is the easy one. If the bases are already the same the exponents
must equal.
• Then solve for x.

2. Students will be able to solve exponential equations with unlike bases.

• This is the harder one. If the bases are not the same you have to think,
what number raised to a power will equal the original base.
• You want to have both bases changed to the same base.
• Then the exponents must equal.
• Then solve for x.