.
Solving Exponential Equations
   Problem 1.2 (complexity 2). Solution

Solve
 

Solution
We can write the equation as
 
This last equation can be interpreted as a quadratic equation in   .
Using the quadratic formula to solve for   yields
 
But since an exponential function is always positive, we must reject the negative number. By observing that
 
we have the same base on both sides of the equation.
 
Since an exponential function is a one-to-one function, we can equate exponents:
 

 Answer:  


Copyright © 1998-2001 MathAid, LLC. All rights reserved.